LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Cliap.tr.1 Copyright No. 



Sheli 



'1&&G 



UNSTED STATES OF AMERICA. 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



Fourth Illinois Volunteers 

IN THEIR RELATION TO THE 

SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 

FOR THE LIBERATION OF 

CUBA AND OTHER ISLAND POSSESSIONS 
OF SPAIN. 



FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH FIXE TONED ENGRAVINGS SHOWING 

OFFICERS AND MEN COMPOSING THE REGIMENT NEAR THE 

DATE OF MUSTERING OUT, RESIDE SCENES CONNECTED 

WITH THE CAREER OF THE REGIMENT. 



BY 

CHAPLAIN JOHN R. SKINNER 







40910 



Entered according to t!ie Act of Congress, in the year 1S99, in the office of 

the Librarian of]Congress, at Washington, D. (J., 

by J. E. Skinner. 



""""WiiMtotive 




•s^^-i o cu^.-vw'g^, 



FK.'M THE PSB«S OF WILSON. 




MAJOR-GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE. 



*m ■, 




COLONEL CASIMIR ANDEL. 




COLCNEL EBEN SWIFT. 



DEDICATION. 



in 



MY DEVOTED WIFE, 

AND 

LADY NURSES 

OF THE 

SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, 

WHO WERE SO LONG ASSOCIATED TOGETHER 

IN THE HOSPITALS, WHERE THE SICK AND 

UNFORTUNATE OF THIS CORPS WERE 

TENDERLY CARED FOR, 

IS THIS HUMBLE VOLUME DEDICATED. 




BRIGADIER-GENERAL HENRY T. DOUGLAS. 




CAPT. H..S. PARKER. 



v>uvtsirro*7 Sp 





LIEUT-COLONEL S. A. D. MC WILLIAMS. 








MAJOR L. E. BENNETT. 1ST LIEUT. CHARLES DOLE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In undertaking to publish a history of the Fourth Illi- 
nois Volunteers I realize from the first the disadvantages 
under which I must labor from my comparative brief mem- 
bership in the organization. In order, therefore, to prevent 
as far as possible any. error of dates, facts or conditions, I 
at once sought relief from this embarrassment by soliciting 
help from those of the regiment who were more conversant 
with all the details connected with its history, and I now 
take this public way of tendering my most heartfelt grati- 
tude to those who have either directly or indirectly rendered 
me assistance in this matter. 

My effort and aim has been to secure and embody only 
facts and yet all facts of historic interest connected with the 
regiment in its career as United States Volunteers. That 
I have not been able to accomplish my desire in this re- 
spect, I fear will be discovered in the body of this book as 
I have been greatly disappointed in some, whose promises 
to aid in certain matters have failed to materialize in any 
helpful way, thus not only delaying the issue of the work, 
but as well reduced the number of cuts, biographies and 
facts of company history. 

Still, with the hope that it may be worthy of your re- 
ception, not merely as a kind of souvenir of our campaign, 
but more, as a volume embodying history of faithful service, 
as well as real suffering, I submit it to the interested read- 



I 6 INTRODUCTORY. 

er. While the reader will find facts repeated in this vol- 
ume, yet the different settings given them by different 
writers will enable the reader to get a glimpse at them 
from several angles. 

We have not striven to produce flowers of rhetoric, or 
beautiful symmetrical periods that please and charm the 
cultured literati. Nor have we attempted to give all the 
laughable incidents and jokes that passed, the misconstruc- 
tion of which might cast reflections where they would give 
pain. So likewise we have withheld facts that could have 
no historic value to the reader, but on the other hand 
might be wrested to the embarrassment or serious hurt of 
individuals in their social, civil or political relations. Con- 
sidering the great disadvantages under which we have 
labored in collecting the facts of the volume, which we hope 
are sufficiently reliable to be trusted and appreciated, we 
commit them to the public in this more permanent form, 
without an apology, yet asking that our imperfections as 
discovered will be pardoned as unintentional. 
Areola, 111., June 30, 1899. Respectfully, 

J. R. Skinner. 



INDEX. 



BIOGRAPHIES. 

Abend, Lieut. E. J 77 

Andel, Col. Casimir 20 

Andel, Lieut. W. C 78 

Blackwell, Sergt. S. B 392 

Clayton, Lieut. E. P 118 

Coen, Lieut. H. C 37 

Courtney, Capt. W. R 196 

Davis, Lieut. C. W 237 

Douglas, Brig.-Gen. H. T... 19 

Evers, J. U.. 410 

Engelmann, Miss J 405 

Harris, Lieut. Lyman 170 

Hersh, Capt. E. W 168 

Hilgard, Lieut. R. M 78 

Hilgard, Lieut. G. E 399 

Howell, Capt. W. A 170 

Lang, Maj.E. J 98 

Lee, Brisj.-Gen. Fitzhugh 17 

McCord, Major T. C 398 

Moore, Lieut. R.J 240 

Parker, Capt. H. S 24 

Pavey, Capt. N.P 50 

Piper, Lieut. W. N 222 

Rose, Lieut. P.J 159 

Satterfield, Lieut. W. E 52 

Schrader, Capt. F. J 75 

Seaman, Lieut. A. O 159 

Swift, Col.Eben 23 

Skinner, J. R 409 

Smith, Lieut. A. W 196 

Snyder, Capt. Al 390 

Todd, W. H 408 

Thompson, Lieut. F. E 198 

Voris, Lieut. A. C 271 

Washburn, Lieut. L. B 195 

Wilson, Lieut. I.N 35 

HISTORY. 

Battalion, First 26 

Battalion, Second 98 

Band 393 

Cheney, George, Address by.. 445 

Chaplaincy 411 

Hospital 401 

Regiment 286 

Company A 240 

B 171 

C 89 

C, Home Reception 

of 97 

Company E 273 

-".. F 53 



Company H 222 

1 115 

K 161 

L 40 

M 199 

COMPANY ROSTERS. 

Company A 263 

B 186 

C 91 

D 81 

E 278 

F 70 

G 108 

H 228 

1 152 

K 163 

L 44 

M 214 

PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 

Company A, Commissioned Of- 
ficers 238 

Company A 264 

Company B, Commissioned 

Officers 169 

Company B 187 

Company C, Capt. E. E. Bar- 
ton ... '. 89 

Company C, Non-Com. Officers 92 
ConiDanv D, Commissioned 

Officers 76 

Company D 80 

Company E, Commissioned Of- 
ficers 272 

Company E, Non-Com. Officers 279 
Company F, Commissioned Of- 
ficers 51 

Company F, Non-Com. Officers 377 

Company F 71 

Company G, Commissioned 

Officers 109 

Company G, Non-Com. Officers 376 

Company G 462 

Company H, Commissioned 

Officers 223 

Company H 229 

Company I, Commissioned Of- 
ficers 142 

Company I, Non-Com. Officers 116 

Company 1 151 

Company K, Commissioned 
Officers 160 



u 



INDEX. 



Company K .••••; > " 

Company L, Commissioned 

Officers .•• 6b 

Company L, Non-Commis- 

sioned Officers <& 

Company L • •. • 4,J 

Company M, Commissioned 

Officers .•■ lJt 

Company M, Non-Commis- 

sioned Officers ..•■■• 215 

A Company Street in Camp 

Cuba Libre 3UU 

A Company Street in Camp 

Columbia— Drill Hour 326 

A Hungry Trio &» 

A Mixed "Race 426 

Andel, Col. Casimir ] 

Band.... 394 

Barn, Ruins of a Cuban 341 

Barbed Wire Defense ........ 44.3 

Before and After Fumigation. lUo 
Breaking Camp at Springfield, 

Jacksonville ^ Ui 

Blanket Drill, or Kangaroo 

Court |U5 

Blackvvell, Sam 3»U 

Bennett. Major L. E l" 

Bonevard, Human 4do 

Boneventura Cemetery 4csy 

Boarding a Transport 810 

Block House 4J> 

Bugle Corps.. . 28& 

Camp Barber Shop «»' 

Camp Columbia l£ 

Camp McKenzie g<£ 

Camp at Mountain Cut gog 

Camp at Mountain Pass 34d 

Cathedral, Interior of 4drf 

Corral, Fourth Illinois &>° 

Corduroy Bridge, Panama Park 29b 

Cuban Soldiers 4Z1 

Cuban Soldiers' Camp 4Z£ 

Donlan, Lieutenant 89' 

Elliott, Major E. E ]f 

Engelman, Miss J 406 

Evers. J.U 410 

Fast Mail 297 

Foot-ball Tram 44o 

Fatigue Duty g^ 

Galbraith, Lieut. C. M 397 

Guard Mount ^ 

Gravback, A 444 

Giving an Order ooj 

Hangman's Tree »-J 

Hilgard, Lieut. G. E 397 

Hospital, Fourth 111., Cuba. ... 402 



Hungry Cubans 349* 

Lang, Major E. J 99 

Lee, Brig. Gen. Fitzhugh 2 

McWilliams, Lieut.-Col 9 

McCord, Major M. D 397 

Maine Graves 438 

Margaret, Transport 371 

Map of Camp Columbia 12 

Military Road 332 

Mobile'Off for Cuba olb 

Mobile Entering Havana Har- 
bor 208 

Moro Castle 388 

Mountain Cut 884 

North Gate, Camp Columbia.. 32o 
On Guard— Early Morning.. 354 

Ox Cart, Georgia 428 

Parker, Capt. H. S 

Poems, 3*8 

Plowing in Cuba 4Z < 

Quartermaster's Store House, 

Quemados 482 

Quarantine Camp 3bJ 

Readv for the March. (Re- 

f erred to on page 302) 304 

Ruins of a Cuban Barn d41 

San Jose Espigon 321 

Snakes and Other Trophies.. -.4, 

Seasick J04 

Scene in Panama Park '_'.u 

Skinner, Capt. J. R 409 

Skirmish Drill 308 

Swift, Col. Eben » 

Swiping a Porker 389 

Storm at Third Division Hos- 

pital 294 

Street Scene at Drill Hour, 

Cuba 336 

Sunset— From the Maine.... •>" 

Snyder, Capt. Al 390 

Tandem Team 4Z8 

Transport Whitney 3bo 

Thatched Hut 429 

Todd, Capt. H. W 409 

United States Military Ceme- 

tery gj 

Yento Springs • • ^ l 

Wagon Train on the Way to 

Camp ■•■ ■ • ['-z 

Wagon Tram and North Mt.. 34o 

Washburn, Lieut 

Wreck of Water Tank •;-•' 

Wreck of the Maine ; ;M 

Whitney, The Transport .... 365 
Yarmouth, The Transport.... 103 
V M.C. A. Gospel Tent 414 



SEVENTH ARMY CORPS. 



FITZHUGH LEE. 

Major-General Fitzhugh Lee, commanding the Seventh 
Army Corps, is one of the most conspicuous figures in the 
country to-day. For three years, as consul-general to 
Havana, he represented the United States in the unhappy 
island of Cuba during the desperate struggle that reduced 
it to a land of mourning and desolation. 

He left the island with the withdrawal of diplomatic 
relations between this country and Spain on the eve of the 
outbreak of hostilities, and he now returns at the head of 
the army of occupation, and as military governor of Havana 
province will direct the fortunes of the people in that part 
of Spain's richest dependencies. 

So eminent, courageous and diplomatic were his serv- 
ices that he possessed the confidence of not only two 
administrations, but of the whole country as well. 

General Lee is a typical American, patriotic and mag- 
nanimous, as great in forbearance as he is valorous in the 
defense of the principles of justice and humanity, char- 
acteristics which made him invaluable to his country in the 
post which he held during the critical period preceding the 
Spanish-American war. 

A soldier by birth and education, General Lee is a 

type of Virginia's best blood. He was born in Fairfax 

county November 19, 1835 ; was graduated from West Point 

in 1856, and commissioned second lieutenant of the Second 

Cavalry, serving in the west against the Indians, where he 
2 



I 8 HISTORY OF THE 

was severely wounded. Upon his return to duty he was 
ordered to West Point as instructor of cavalry, where he 
remained until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he 
exchanged the service of the Union for that of the Con- 
federacy, and was commissioned first lieutenant of a cav- 
alry corps. He served as adjutant-general of Ewell's 
brigade a short time, when he was made lieutenant-colonel 
of the First Virginia Cavalry, and after less than a year's 
service was advanced to a colonelcy. He was made a 
brigadier-general in July, 1862, and the following year a 
major-general. He was severely wounded at Winchester, 
after three horses had been shot under him, and was dis- 
abled for several months. During the closing days of the 
war he had command of the cavalry corps of Northern 
Virginia, which he surrendered to General Meade. 

After some years of retirement following the declara- 
tion of peace, which he spent on his farm, he began to 
take an active part in the politics of his state, and was 
elected governor in 1885 for a term of four years. The 
year following the expiration of his term as governor, he 
led the troops of his state at the Washington centennial 
celebration in New York City, and received an ovation 
second to that accorded to no public man present. After 
that he retired from the public, and until his appointment 
as consul-general to Havana by President Cleveland in 
1894 he led a quiet life. 

It is one of the fortunes of war that General Lee 
should command the army of occupation in Havana prov- 
ince, where he was accorded such scant courtesy by the 
proud and haughty captain-generals of Spain, who afflicted 
with misrule and were a terror to its down-trodden and 
unhappy people, and should bring to them the protection 
of the United States, looking to a peaceful and stable gov- 
ernment. During the months of December, 1898, and 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 19 

January," 1899, General Lee and the regiments composing 
his command landed in the city of Havana, from which 
but a few months previous he had left under the frown of 
Spanish authority, but now receiving the welcome of a long- 
expectant and long-misruled people. 

He took up his headquarters in a former Spanish-Cuban 
mansion at the Beuna Vista station, on the Marianao rail- 
road, some four and a half miles northwest of Havana, 
where, in a beautiful and spacious camp, he was surrounded 
by the troops under his command, and where he remained 
until his corps was disbanded and returned to the United 
States in May, 1899. 

[The above was copied in the main from a " History of the Seventh 
Army Corps," published in Savannah, Ga., in 1898.] 



HENRY T. DOUGLAS. 

Brig. -Gen. Henry T. Douglas was born and educated 
in Virginia. During the Civil war, having fitted himself 
for the work of a civil engineer, he was placed in the Corps 
of Engineers, C. S. A., serving on the staffs of Generals 
McGruder, A. P. Hill, G. W. Smith and E. Kirby Smith. 

His military service began with the commission of 
second lieutenant of engineers, C. S. A., in which position 
his services were of such merit as led to his promotion to 
that of a colonelcy before peace was an assured fact be- 
tween the contending states. 

At the close of the civil strife, or in 1866, he resumed 
his chosen profession as civil engineer and continued in it 
until 1898, when he was commissioned brigadier-general of 
volunteers and assigned to duty as commander of the Sec- 
ond Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps, and 
accompanied General Lee into the island of Cuba, remain- 



20 HISTORY OF THE 

ing with his command until the army of occupation was 
broken up and returned to the states, from which a few 
months previously they had gone out. 

General Douglas was filling the responsible position 
of chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad and 
the Southern railway when he was called to the service of 
the United States. 



CASIMIR ANDEL. 

Col. Casimir Andel was born in Germany near Bingen 
on the Rhine in 1840. He came to this country in 1858, 
stayed in Evansville, Indiana, until 1859, when he came 
to Bellville, Illinois, where he entered upon mercantile pur- 
suits. In response to President Lincoln's first call for sev- 
enty thousand volunteers, Colonel Andel enlisted as a pri- 
vate in Company A, of the Ninth Illinois Volunteers, April 
17, 1 86 1. A few days later he did his first guard duty at 
the main entrance to the fair grounds at Springfield, Illi- 
nois. He had orders not to let anybody pass after dark 
without the countersign. Shortly after dark a civilian, rid- 
ing a military equipped horse tried to force his way, and 
not paying any attention to the sentinel's challenge, had 
his horse stabbed in the neck by the sentinel's bayonet. 
For this deed Andel was promoted corporal the next day 
by Col. August Mersy. When the Ninth Illinois Regiment 
was mustered out July 26, 1861, Andel joined the Twelfth 
Missouri Regiment, which was just organizing in St. Louis, 
as he was anxious to meet the enemy in the field and afraid 
that, if he would re-enlist in the Ninth Illinois Regiment, 
he would be doomed to remain in Cairo to the end of the 
war. August 8th he was mustered in as sergeant of Com- 
pany B, Twelfth Missouri Infantry. After the battle of 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 21 

Pea Ridge there were three lieutenancies vacant for which 
there were sixty applicants. Sergeant Andel, having passed 
the best examination, was commissioned second lieutenant 
of Company A. 

At the bloody charge on the 22nd of May, 1863, Lieu- 
tenant Andel was shot through the upper right arm while 
charging a rebel battery near Vicksburg, Mississippi. He 
fell a few yards in front of the enemy's works while attempt- 
ing to step over a large fallen tree. Seeing the impossi- 
bility of taking said battery, he lay flat on the ground with 
his command (his captain having been wounded and retired 
previously) from about one o'clock in the afternoon until 
dark, thereby keeping the rebels from firing upon our 
retreating columns, as the ground was very steep and the 
rebels were compelled to expose the whole upper part of 
their bodies in order to use their guns effectively. In this 
way the wounded and dead and even the scattered arms 
could be removed from the field without any further cas- 
ualties. 

On the 7th of June, 1863, Lieutenant Andel received 
a commission as first lieutenant of Company C, which was 
endorsed in red ink: "For gallant conduct in the actions 
before Vicksburg, Mississippi." 

During the Yazoo expedition the Twelfth Missouri 
Regiment was detailed to do duty on the so-called Mosquito 
fleet as artillery. Lieutenant Andel had occasion to act as 
"officer of the deck " several times. Later on he was or- 
dered to report to Gen. Peter Joseph Osterhaus as aid-de- 
camp, in which capacity he served until his regiment was 
mustered out before Atlanta, Georgia, in September, 1864. 
May 16, 1864, Lieutenant Andel was commissioned captain 
of Company D, but never commanded that company. He 
took part in all the battles and skirmishes in which the 
Twelfth Missouri Regiment participated except from May 



22 HISTORY OF THE 

22, 1863, to the end of August of the same year, during 
which time he was at home under surgical treatment. Dur- 
ing the coal miners' strike in 1894, Company A, Belleville 
guards, were organized for the protection of life and prop- 
erty and Casimir Andel was unanimously elected their cap- 
tain, although not present at the citizens' meeting. 

During the railroad strike in 1877, Captain Andel's 
Company A did service from July 23d to August 8th, partly 
in East St. Louis and partly in Belleville. 

After the strike the Eleventh Regiment, Illinois National 
Guards, was organized, and Captain Andel was elected colo- 
nel, although not an applicant and not present at the offi- 
cers' meeting. 

On March 1st, 1894, Company D, Fourth Regiment, was 
organized and Colonel Andel was elected captain, although 
not a member and not wishing the position. He refused at 
first, but was finally persuaded by Col. Hugh Bayle, then 
assistant adjutant-general of the state, to accept with the 
condition, however, that his resignation would be accepted 
any time after three months. When the time came, Com- 
pany D was ordered to Carterville and Mounds, and, of 
course, the Captain could not resign. He did so, however, 
on March 1st, 1 895, having served just one year in the Fourth 
Illinois National Guard Regiment, quitting military life for 
good, as he then thought. 

But now came the war with Spain. Governor Tanner 
offered Colonel Andel command of the Fourth Illinois Reg- 
iment, and the Colonel's patriotism would not permit him 
to refuse. He accepted and left a few days later with his 
regiment for Cuba, as he then thought. His original orders 
were to report to General Shafter, at Tampa; this order 
was changed, however, when the regiment reached Albany, 
Georgia, orders from war department directed the fourth 
Illinois to Jacksonville, Florida, to report to General Law- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2 3 

ton. General Lawton was superseded by General Arnold 
when the regiment arrived, to whom Colonel Andel reported. 
He had a very poor camping ground assigned, but tried to 
make the best of it by ditching and elevating the low places. 
His men went to work with a will and created one of the 
prettiest camping grounds in the vicinity in a very short 
time. 

Colonel Andel went with his regiment to Savannah, 
Georgia, and remained until November 17th, 1898, when he 
resigned, the war being virtually over and his presence be- 
ing needed more at home than in the field. 

Before he left his regiment, to which he was very much 
attached, he secured the colonelcy of the same for Lieut. - 
Col. Ebner Swift, of the Ninth Illinois Regiment, a distin- 
guished officer of the United States Army, who had seen 
actual service in the field. Upon his return home Colonel 
Andel took charge of the First National Bank of Belleville, 
Illinois, whose cashier he has been for a quarter of a cent- 
ury. 

EBEN SWIFT. 

Colonel Eben Swift, who was the second and last 
commander of this regiment during its history as a part of 
the United States Volunteer Army, was born in Texas, his 
father at the time holding a commission as major in the 
United States service. 

He was appointed by General Grant as a cadet-at- 
large to the Military Academy, at West Point, from which 
he graduated in 1876, and was assigned to the Fifth United 
States Cavalry as a second lieutenant. In January, 1878, 
was appointed regimental adjutant, and acted in this 
capacity until 1887; was promoted to first lieutenant in 
October, 1884, and to that of captain in December, 1893. 



24 HISTORY OF THE 

In May, 1898, he entered the United States volunteer 
service as a major in the Seventh Illinois, and in July he 
was promoted to lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth Illinois, 
and in November of the same year was commissioned colo- 
nel of the Fourth Illinois. 

Prior to his entering the volunteer service, he took 
part in the field in Wyoming, Idaho, Nebraska and Colo- 
rado, in the movements again the Sioux, Cheyenne, Ban- 
nock, Nez Perces and Ute Indians, up to and including the 
year 1879; and in frontier garrison service to the year 1887. 
From this date up to 1890 he filled the position of aid-de- 
camp on the staff of Gen. Wesley Merritt; engaging in 
field and garrison duty in Oklahoma and Indian Territory 
to 1893, an d as assistant instructor in Military Art in the 
United States Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, to 1897, when he was placed on duty with 
the Illinois National Guards, where he rendered efficient 
service up to the date of his muster into the volunteer serv- 
ice of the United States. 



HARRY S. PARKER. 

Captain Harry S. Parker is a son of Richland county, 
Illinois, having been born therein on the 3d of January, 
1 87 1. During the year following, his parents moved with 
their family to Effingham, his present home, where he pur- 
sued the elementary branches in the city public schools, 
but before completing the course of study laid down in 
these schools, he sought the larger sphere of education in 
the Oakdale school at Leavenworth, Kansas, and later 
attended night school in his home city, while the days he 
spent working in the shops of the Vandalia Railraad; also 
attended Austin College for a time and studied law with the 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2 5 

Wood Bros, of Effingham, — doing office work at the time; 
also spent one year in the Kent Law School of Chicago, 
Illinois. In February, 1896, he was admitted to the Bar, 
and June 1, of the same year, opened a law office in the 
city of his childhood. He became a charter member of 
Company G, Fourth Illinois National Guards, in the early 
part of 1892, as a private, being made first sergeant in 
May, and was discharged in September, of the same year, 
in order to attend school. Reenlisted in June, 1893, and 
was made sergeant major of the Third Battalion and on 
Thanksgiving day of the same year was commissioned a 
captain and made regimental adjutant. During his mili- 
tary career he has served under Colonels R. M. Smith and 
J. B. Washburn in the Illinois National Guards, and after 
being mustered into the United States service, with the 
regiment on May 20, 1898, under Colonels Casimir Andel 
and Eben Swift, mustered out with the regiment, under 
the last named, at Augusta, Georgia, May 2, 1899, having 
spent almost one year as a United States volunteer. 



FIRST BATTALION. 



BEGINNING APRIL 4, 1 899. 

The suspense under which we had been resting,, or 
trying to rest submissively and patiently, was broken on 
the morning of April 4th, about 1 o'clock in the morn- 
ing, when we received orders to be ready with all our be- 
longings, which, in this land of souvenir gathering, had 
grown to no small proportions, including tentage and cook- 
ing apparatus. It need scarcely be said that the boys 
responded to this order with an eagerness and alacrity that 
did not always characterize them when the call to fatigue, 
drill or dress parade went echoing down the streets of our 
camp. Accordingly, every man was on the move by 
4:30 o'clock, getting that part of the regimental menag- 
erie belonging to this battalion and the many other articles 
of more or less usefulness and importance to the soldier 
who is out in defense of his country's Hag and honor, into 
condition for evacuation of camp at Buena Vista, and our 
initial march en the " Home, Sweet Home " trip. 

Having answered the familiar call of "soupy, soupy, 
soupy," at 5:30 o'clock, at 6 the wagon train began to 
make its appearance on the scene and very soon willing 
hands, moved by gladdened hearts, were stowing away tents, 
trunks and boxes, in fact, about everything that a soldier 
thinks he needs as a necessary baggage equipage, in the 
large land ships of Uncle Sam's army, and about 9 the 
driver's yell and snap of whip opened the throttle of his 
four-muled power motor and the long train moved out on 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 27 

the old military road, over which Spain had so recently 
moved her war equipments for a similar purpose, to its des- 
tination at the dock on Havana bay, where our valuables 
were placed on lighters and towed out into the harbor, 
stowed away on the steamer that was to bear us on our 
homeward journey. As soon as the wagon train had gotten 
out of the way, our battalion was formed into line, 
equipped in light marching order and the commanding 
voice of Major Bennet was heard in those old familiar words 
that never sounded better, " battalion attention," and every 
fellow straightened up to his best proportions, awaiting the 
next command that started our feet, in unison with our 
minds, on the long desired march toward our "own beloved 
home. " The march of six and one half kilometers over the 
military road to the quaint, old city of Havana, was made 
without accident, or even incident of unusual note, except 
the limestone dust from the pike that rose in clouds and 
was driven about us and into our faces by the strong breeze 
that fanned us, under the heat of the tropical April sun. 
Near noon we filed in through the iron gates opening to the 
commodious sheds in connection with the San Jose docks 
where our now weary feet first tread on Cuban territory 
twelve weeks previous, and truly the shade and refreshing 
breeze from the bay were welcome friends. 

After some four and one half hours of rest and waiting 
the bugle call aroused us, and our packs and guns were 
soon in place on sturdy shoulders and we were moving 
with quick step on the two United States tugs that had just 
run alongside the docks to carry us out on the bay near the 
remains of the fated Maine, where the Whitney, a steamer 
of the Plant Line, dressed in war paint, lay at anchor await- 
ing her priceless cargo. She is a ship of medium size, side- 
wheeler, a fact that almost made some of the boys sick as 
they thought how easily she would rock and toss to the roll- 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

ing waves that began to rise and fall, in their imagination, 
until their crested heads threatened to pass over us. Dis- 
approvals of her as a boat unworthy of such a cargo, were 
not unfrequently heard as we approached her and took in 
her dimensions and exterior appearance, but on entering 
her hull these remarks and gibes gave way to expressions 
of approval and surprise at her commodious and cleanly 
/quarters, so different from the great transport that 
carried us into this port; yet, perhaps in this, only be- 
cause we were not so numerous a quantity in comparison 
to the space to be occupied, for it was not known to many 
of us up to this time that Company C was dropped out to 
accompany the Second Battalion, which marched into the 
dock sheds, weary and dust stained, just before our depart- 
ure and whose wagon train was being unloaded as we took 
our departure from the docks. It was therefore the honor 
of Companies L, F and D to accompany headquarters and 
our efficient band; also we had the pleasure of the company 
of J. A. Hardin, second lieutenant of Company D, First 
North Carolina Volunteer Infantry, of Reidsville, North 
Carolina, who had been on detached duty to the Tenth 
United States Infantry and who was assigned to our 
regiment for return to his own regiment at Savannah. 
Also Clark M. Carr, first lieutenant Company L, Ninth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of Galesburg, was assigned to 
this regiment for transportation on his way to Washing- 
ton, answering an order looking to a position in the reg- 
ular army. 

On board the Whitney, we found hej appointments 
for the accommodation of soldiers not the equal of those of 
the Mobile, but which lack was fully overcome by our 
more roomy quarters and the liberties accorded to us, for 
we were excluded only from the dining room and middle 
aft deck, which was assigned to headquarters. But we 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2Q 

had not been aboard long until the "pipe" was heard on 
many lips, "Well, we are doomed to stay in the harbor all 
night, for the commissary stores are not here yet, and we 
can't leave after sundown." 

This heart-saddening rumor grew out of the fact that 
it was nearing that time, and by harbor laws no vessel 
bound for another port could leave after that hour. But 
our ship's commander was a man who well knew how to 
meet such emergencies, and accordingly about that hour 
weighed anchor for the start. Just as the sun, like a great 
ball of fire, was slooping down behind a covering of fleecy 
clouds, as if to hide himself from the scene, made so grandly 
beautiful by his mellowed rays, our boat moved alongside 
the United States steamer Resolute, which fired for us a 
parting salute, and out under the frowning walls of old 
Morro into the open sea we steamed, just three months, 
lacking one day, from the time of our entrance. Nothing 
eventful occurred save seasickness that got hold of some of 
our boys almost at the thought of being on the ocean, until 
the morning of Wednesday. While the captain and purser 
of our boat, the colonel, staff and line officers were regaling 
themselves at the morning feast, when a sudden racket on 
the hurricane deck attracted the eyes of all at the table to 
the skylight above, revealing to the experienced officers 
that something was not moving smoothly, and at once the 
officer of the day and guard were hastily despatched to 
the scene to learn the cause and give what assistance was 
necessary. It turned out that a couple of the boys who 
wore red and white stripes on their pants and do the blow- 
ing for the regiment, were discussing the propriety of set- 
tling a slight difference between them in a hand-to-hand 
set-to. The officer of the day granted them full permis- 
sion to do so, but requested them to get off the boat, lest 
they should accidentally knock someone overboard. This 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 3 I 

seemed to cool their blood or something else, and in an 
hour or two they were aiding in a concert on the aft deck 
of the officers' apartment. 

By 9 o'clock the ship was tossing and swaying con- 
siderable to the motion of the water, that was dancing to a 
strong breeze from the Florida coast, having passed Key 
West light at 5 A. M., and aside from the crew that did 
not wish something to settle his stomach, or even go farther, 
was the exception to the rule; even the chaplain, after sev- 
eral hours' fight against the inevitable, "heaved up Jonah," 
keeping his state room, as did many others during the day. 
About 5:30 on Thursday morning we sighted a light house 
far in our front and at 6:00 we were in sight of land which 
proved to be Egmont Key, the beginning of a chain of islands 
lying off Tampa and forming a kind of breast water to the 
main land. After a few hours a tug ran along side and we 
were informed that we would soon be visited by a lighter, 
that would carry our belongings to the above island, where 
they would be disinfected, and we would be quarantined 
three days prior to going to Port Tampa. The work of 
unloading continued until after dark, when the last of our 
companies were landed by a tug and sought out quarters in 
the tents erected by their comrades who were perhaps unfor- 
tunate enough to get off the boat ahead of them. While 
the voyage was to us tedious, owing to the very low speed of 
the boat, there were other discomfitures and inconven- 
iences met with in landing and getting adjusted in our 
quarters that seemed entirely inexcusable, owing to a lack 
of facilities to unload the lighters at the docks, where one 
entire load and part of another remained during the night, 
to be caught in one of those terrible down pours of rain 
that are so well known to the soldier that has spent any 
time in the sand-clad state of Florida. During the day, amid 
storm and rain, the unloading of lighters went slowly on, 



32 HISTORY OF THE 

while a gang of government employees were busily engaged 
opening trunks, boxes and so forth and subjecting their 
contents to a fumigating process that consumed hours for 
each batch submitted to the disinfecting vault. When, as 
we were here told, the government had at an immense out- 
lay fitted up a large floating disinfecting station and 
anchored it in Havana bay, in order to expedite the trans- 
fer of troops from the island, one wonders at our being 
brought here where facilities are so meagre. 

From the wharf we were marched into a double twilled 
barbed wire stockade, carrying on its front a kind of "don't 
you try it " appearance, which indicated to us that within 
these limitations our days of quarantine were to be spent. 
During this time Company C and the Second Battalion also 
came ashore and entered the same quarters, pitching their 
neighborly tents alongside of ours ready to pass the ordeal 
with us. One of our men, after expressing his opinion of 
the whole matter, suggested the propriety of writing a his- 
tory embodying all the facts, entitled "The Army of Occu- 
pation on the Island of Fumigation, or Three Days in Hades. ' ' 
How this embodied the views and feelings of all concerned 
the writer is not able with certainty to say. And some- 
thing of an ordeal it was, for along with the inconveniences 
of landing and want of facilities to care for our private 
belongings, was that of no place in which to do our cook- 
ing. Consequently when the rain began to pour down in 
torrents on Friday morning with a heavy sea gale, we soon 
found our fires in a sad plight and our breakfast not much 
better; all this, with the brevity of rations in some compan- 
ies, made our" home coming," to say the least, unpleasant. 
For the wind continued its heavy gale and our tent flies 
flapped and cracked like the wings of some huge bird strug- 
gling to destroy its antagonist or free itself from an unwel- 
come captor. Yet we are glad to say that in Paul M. Car- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 33 

ington, M. D., Surgeon United States Marine Hospital serv- 
ice, and his able corp of assistants, we met with kind, gen- 
tlemanly and hospitable treatment, doing all they could to 
make our stay as agreeable and pleasant as circumstances 
would admit. 

After spending our four days in the quarantine corral, 
Monday morning, before the dawn of day, the gentle voice 
of the soldier could be heard in every direction, and the 
blazing fires at every company's quarters told that the 
' ' soup " maker was at his task of preparing an early break- 
fast, and at 6 personal baggage began to find its way to 
the dock, and by 7:30 both battalions were aboard the fine 
little river steamer Margaret, of the Plant system, and a 
three hours' ride on a calm sea brought us alongside of the 
commodious docks at Port Tampa, Florida, where disem- 
barkation and re-loading of men and baggage was hurried 
up in true American style, which put us in readiness on a 
train of three sections for our trip to Savannah. At 3:10 
the wheels were in motion, rolling us over the sandy, 
wooded plains and ridges, and among the swamps and 
lakes of Florida, at a rate that made us feel that we were 
on some well equiped road in Illinois, save its lack of 
smoothness. Night threw her sable curtains gently about 
us after a hundred-mile run and we settled down for our 
rest. 

Soon after leaving Waycross, just over the border line 
in Georgia, the gray dawn became visible, soon followed 
by the silver bars that shot up the sky from the sun that 
still hid his face below the horizon, opening to our view 
the still level, pine-clad plains with their many marshy 
tracts, similar to that which was hid from us by the gentle 
dropping of the pall of night. Soon after sun-up we 
crossed the broad, clear Savannah river, on which several 
small boats, occupied by four or six negroes, by whom they 



34 HISTORY OF THE 

were being pulled down its liquid pathway, yet nothing 
about the scene could indicate their mission or their desti- 
nation. Another eventful thing occurred during this run 
of between four and five hundred miles. At High Springs, 
about 9:30 p. m., Colonel Wrenn, general superintend- 
ent of the Plant system of transportation, who was the 
guest of Colonel Swift on this trip, took him and his staff 
to the hotel for dinner. As we took seats about the neatly- 
spread tables that reminded one of home, our waiter stood 
gazing in a kind of blank, astonished way upon the scene, 
the very picture of antiquation or a slightly back number 
of his occupation. But no sooner was he addressed by one 
of the hungry company than his eyes flashed as that of one 
of his color only could, and the prompt reply that came 
from his broad mouth at once awakened our curiosisy, 
which was soon formed into a chorus of suppressed laugh- 
ter that increased into almost uproarious bursts as one after 
another his pert, witty and philosophical replies came with 
promptness in answer to questions propounded, or as 
explanations of, or comments on, the "viands," as he 
called them, with which he was regaling us in no sleepy 
fashion. All of which plainly told that he was of the stamp 
of Booker T. Washington, or, perhaps, Frederick Douglass. 
By common consent it was voted that it was worth more 
than the meal cost us (we being Colonel Wrenn's guests) 
to enjoy the rich, spicy wit of the man who, on passing the 
first dish, nicely-fried, juicy steak, remarked that they had 
" other viands coming," and they came in profusion. Re- 
turning to the train, we tried to hustle the porter out of his 
easy-going way to get our berths ready for a good night's 
rest, which we realized on the following morning had been 
ours. We had not proceeded far after our morning lnnch 
when the incident of the trip occurred that aroused the in- 
dignation of about every man on board. We suddenly 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 3 5 

came to a halt at Southover Junction, with our train 
headed in another direction than that of Savannah, which 
led Colonel Wrenn to hasten to the head of the train to 
learn the cause, only to return in a few minutes to inform 
us that our destination was changed to Augusta, Georgia, 
and bid us good-bye. This not only called for a change in 
our course, like Israel at the borders of the promised land, 
but also to part company with Lieutenant J. A. Hilden, 
whose destination was Savannah. 

At the end of a run of about three hours we found our- 
selves passing around the city of Augusta on a serpent-like 
track that seemed to follow the streets in its wanderings to 
the northwest, for a distance of some five miles, when we 
side-tracked, unloaded and were soon wending our way up 
a long incline to the top of a large sand hill, " Monte 
Sano, " west of the city, where we found in camp MacKen- 
.zie tents, mess-shacks and other conveniences constituting 
a good camp awaiting us, into which we entered and began 
in true earnestness the unpacking and arranging of our 
varied articles so essential to the comfort and gratification 
of an American soldier of "occupation." While sorely 
disappointed over not getting into Savannah, we find 
Augusta a beautiful city of some fifty thousand inhabitants, 
located in the beautiful and fertile valley of the Savannah 
river, a city well laid out and of modern date in its improve- 
ments. 



ISAAC NEWTON WILSON. 

Isaac Newton Wilson, first lieutenant Company L, 
was born at Olney, Illinois, January 30, 1876, attended the 
Olney public school until 1892, when he entered the West- 
ern Military Academy at Alton, Illinois, and attended that 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 37 

school until the close of the term of 1895, when he gradu- 
ated. Returning to Olney he was active in the formation 
of Company L, Fourth Regiment State Guards. On the 
call for troops for the war with Spain he was first lieu- 
tenant of Company L, and was with the company until 
October, 1898, when he was seized with Durgue fever and 
on the advice of his physician he resigned his commission, 
which was accepted and he was honorably discharged on 
the 29th day of October, 1 898, with the brevet rank of cap- 
tain. He immediately returned to Olney to recuperate his 
health and in the month of December of that year he went 
to New York City, and entered the wholesale commission 
house of Francis McMulkin & Company. 



HOMER C. COEN. 

Homer C. Coen, the subject of this sketch, was born 
near Olney, Illinois, June 27, 1879, spending the first ten 
years of his life on the farm where he was born. In May, 
1895, he enlisted in Company L, Fourth Illinois National 
Guard, and in June of the same year was promoted to the 
position of corporal, continuing as such until the old com- 
pany was discharged; and when, on the 23d of April, 1896, 
the new company, bearing the same letter, was formed, he 
joined it, receiving the appointment to the position of first 
sergeant. 

When the call of April 26, 1898, for volunteers came 
he was in attendance at school, in the University of Illi- 
nois, where he held the position of corporal in the com- 
pany of cadets, composed of students, he having formerly 
completed the course of study in the high school of Olney, 
Illinois, from which he was a graduate. His company 
heeding the call, entered Camp Tanner at Springfield, 



38 HISTORY OF THE 

where three days later he joined them and was mustered 
into the service of the United States. On the 8th of Nov- 
ember, 1898, he was commissioned second lieutenant of 
the company at Savannah, Georgia, which he held until 
May 2, 1899, when with his comrades he was mustered out 
at Augusta, Georgia. 






COMPANY L 



Company L, Fourth Illinois, was organized as a Guard 
company at Olney, and sworn into the service of the state 
of Illinois on April 24, 1896, by Lieutenant-Colonel Wash- 
burn, with Franz Muench, captain; I. N. Wilson, first 
lieutenant, and Rolla N. Hensley, second lieutenant. 
The company was assigned to the Second Battalion, 
commanded by Major McWilliams, and in 1897 was 
transferred to the First Battalion, commanded by Major 
Bennet. The company took part in the state encamp- 
ment of 1896-97, where it was known as "The Kid" 
Company of th3 Fourth. After the destruction of the 
Maine, Company L was probably the first company of 
the state to offer its services to Governor Tanner. Intense 
enthusiasm prevailed among the boys, and they were 
drilled in all kinds of tactics, with marches in heavy order, 
and, in compliance with orders, the company was recruited 
to one hundred men, who were drilled until called out. 

The call came about 1 A. M. on the morning of the 
never-to-be-forgotten 26th of April, and the news was an- 
nounced to the people by the blowing of whistles and ring- 
ing of bells. The town was in a frenzy of excitement 
when the company left at 8:30 P. M. for Camp Tanner, via 
P. D. & E. 

Arriving at Camp Tanner at 1 1 A. M., on the 27th, 
we were assigned to the Holstein barn with Company G, 
of Effingham, where we took up our quarters as high-graded 
stock. Company L, as every other company, took extra 
men with them so as to have enough to pass the examina- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 4 1 

tion, and as it was cold and raw, quite a little suffering was 
caused by the scarcity of blankets, we having but eighty- 
seven for one hundred and twenty-five men; but as the 
days wore on the numbers decreased, as many were sent 
home as were undesirable, and others being homesick and 
tired of the army ways at the start; but only two of the old 
guards failed to try and pass the examination. Lieutenant 
Wilson was sent home for more men, and on May 10 re- 
turned with ten recruits. 

At last, on the 16th of May, the company was exam- 
ined physically, and many were the heart-broken boys who 
failed to pass the examination, and when the time came 
for them to part from their more fortunate comrades many 
broke down and cried. Company L, with an aggregate of 
eighty-one men and three officers, was sworn into the serv- 
ice of the United States with the remainder of the First 
Battalion, at 4 P. M. on the afternoon of the 19th of May, 
the Second and Third being mustered in on the 20th. 

On the evening of the 25th of May, orders were re- 
ceived to go to Tampa, and on the evening of the 26th, 
the regiment was started on its triumphant tour through 
the south. Unfortunately, at Waycross, Georgia, orders 
were received, ordering us to Jacksonville, where we ar- 
rived on the 29th. Here we were assigned to the Second 
Brigade, Second Division, Seventh Army Corps, and bri- 
gaded with the First Wisconsin and Fiftieth Iowa, com- 
manded by Brigadier-General Bancroft. Under general 
recruiting orders, Corporal Robinson was sent home with 
Lieutenant Schrader, of Company D, to recruit twenty-five 
men for Company L, who were enlisted at Olney, on June 
21, reporting at Jacksonville, June 25, 1898. From July 
3 to July 11, Company L was detailed on provost duty, 
and encamped at camp "Hobo," in East Jacksonville. 
On August 10, camp was changed from Springfield to Pan- 



42 HISTORY OF THE 

ama, as the Fourth had been assigned to the Second Bir- 
gade, Third Division, with the First South Carolina and 
Sixth Missouri, commanded by General Barkley. 

Captain Muench was placed in command of the First 
Battalion from August 25 to September 16, when returned 
and sent home on a sick leave, September 19, Lieutenant 
Wilson being in command of the company. Here were 
spent the most miserable days of our army experience, 
with half the company on the sick report, and seventeen 
down with typhoid fever in the Third Division hospital, 
and some furloughed; a few only were left able for duty. 
Twenty-four out of a total strength of one hundred and 
six were all Company L could muster for the grand review 
before General Alger, when it took a whole battalion to 
make a company, and where the regiment passed a mere 
wreck of what had been the healthiest in the service. 

Of all our sick only one succumbed to the fever, Bug- 
ler Louis Lomelino, of Springfield, Illinois, who died at 
Third Division hospital, September 29, 1898, beloved by 
every boy in the company, for a better fellow, a truer sol- 
dier, or a braver soldier never gave his life for his country. 
On the 26th of September the regiment was ordered on 
provost, and Company L assigned to station number three, 
corner of Duvall and Palmetto streets, where they stayed 
until the Seventh Army Corps was ordered to Savannah, 
preparatory to embarking for Cuba. While on provost the 
regiment was assigned to Second Brigade, First Division, 
with Second South Carolina and Ninth Illinois. 

On October 22d, the regiment was ordered on provost 
in Savannah, and was the first regiment to meet the people 
of that place, Company L being assigned to station number 
six, corner Barnard and Huntington streets, where amid a 
people in love with the military, and endowed by nature 
with hospitality, the boys lived a life of the blessed, and 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 43 

in return amused the people by tossing negroes skyward in 
a blanket (and once in a while a comrade lately returned 
from a furlough). Never will the boys forget the Thanks- 
giving dinner of 1898, when'Southern hospitality proved too 
much even for a Northern soldier's appetite, and Company 
L left the table hopelessly defeated. First Lieutenant 
Wilson resigned while stationed here, October 29. On 
November 14, First Sergeant Homer Coen was appointed 
and commissioned second lieutenant. On November 26 
the regiment was relieved from provost duty, and went 
into Camp Onward, near Dale avenue. Here athletics 
took the lead and Company L's foot-ball team defeated 
Company M's by a score of ten to nothing. 

Camp life was the same old routine of drills, marches 
and parades, but at last, onl January 3d, the regiment em- 
barked with the Ninth Illinois on the United States trans- 
port Mobile, and no regiment ever left Savannah leaving 
behind so many friends or was accorded a more loving fare- 
well than the Fourth. The Mobile reached Havana on the 
5th, and on the 6th the First Battalion marched out to 
Camp Columbia and established camp. Here in a strange 
country, among strange people, the boys enjoyed them- 
selves for three months, but hailed with joy the order to 
leave, April 3d, and on the evening of the 4th, just as the 
United States steamship Resolute was firing the evening 
gun, and the band playing the Star Spangled Banner, the 
First Battalion, on board the Plant Line steamer Whitney, 
steamed out of Havana Harbor, bound for Tampa, Florida, 
where we arrived on the 6th, and were unloaded and de- 
tained three days on the United States Quarantine Station, 
Egmont Key, the dreariest place God ever created. The 
First and Second Battalions left Egmont Key on the morn- 
ing of the 10th, and were londed on the Mobile & Ohio 
cars at Port Tampa and taken to Camp MacKenzie, Au- 



44 HISTORY OF THE 

gusta, Georgia, where we arrived April nth. Here we 
were encamped until mus'ered out, May 2d, when Com- 
pany L returned to Olney, Illinois, as a body and, arriving 
there on the 4th, were received by the entire population of 
the city, and feasted in a royal manner. Many have been 
the ties formed within the last year, and may our comrade- 
ship be as warm as that which characterizes the veterans 
of 1861 and 1865. 



COMPANY L ROSTER. 

Those not otherwise mentioned were mustered into 
the United States service May 19, 1898, and mustered out 
May 2, 1899. The figures following the name indicate age- 

Franz Muench, Captain, 37, Olney, 111., merchant. 

I. N. Wilson, First Lieutenant, 22, Olney, 111., merchant; 
resigned Oct. 29, 1898. 

Rolla Hensley, Second Lieutenant, 22, Olney, 111., clerk; 
promoted First Lieutenant, Nov. 12, 1898. 

Homer Coen, First Sergeant, 18, Onley, 111., student; pro- 
moted Second Lieutenant, Nov. 14, 1898. 

SERGEANTS. 

John J. Horner, 20, Olney, 111., merchant; appointed First 

Sergeant, Nov. 14, 1898; discharged Jan. 23, 1899. 
Elbert Rowland, 20, Olney, 111., student; appointed First 

Sergeant, Jan. 23, 1899. 
Marshall Wallis, 20, Olney, 111., student; reduced to ranks 

Sept. 10, 189S; discharged Nov. 3, 1898. 
George Temple, 21, Olney. 111., express agent; appointed 

Q. M. Sergeant, Nov. r; relieved Apr. 8, 1899. 

CORPORALS. 

Rolla Dean, 20, Olney, 111., carpenter; appointed artificer 
June 1, 1898; discharged March 31, 1899. 



46 HISTORY OF THE 

Roy Jones, 21, Olney, 111., plasterer; appointed Corp., 

May 19, 1898; appointed Sergt., Sept. 10, 1898. 
Oscar Kaufman, 20, Olney, 111., clerk; appointed Q. M. 

Sergt. Apr. 8, 1898; appointed Sergt., Feb. 1, 
1899. 
Lynn Barnard, 18, Olney, 111., student: appointed Sergt., 

Dec. 1, 1898. 
Ross Hensley, 25, Olney, 111., express agent; appointed 

Q. M. Sergt., May 18, 1898; relieved as Q. M, 

Sergt., Nov. 1, 1898. 
William McKnight, 20, Ingraham, 111., student. 

MUSICIAN. 

Louis Lomelino, 19, Springfield, 111., bookkeeper. Died 
at Third Div. Hosp. , Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 29, 
1898. 

PRIVATES. 

Allen, James, 34, Olney, 111., railroader; appointed Corp., 

July 13, 1898. 
Arnold, Charles, 26, Olney, 111., farmer; appointed Wag- 
oner, Feb. 1, 1899. 
Arnold, John D., 25, Olney, 111., farmer; discharged March 

24, 1899. 
Arnold, Martin, 24, Olney, 111., farmer; discharged March 

1, 1899. 
Barckman, Isaac, 21, Olney, 111., farmer. 
Barlow, Ralph, 19, Olney, 111., student; appointed Corp., 

Feb. 1, 1899. 
Beck, Clarence, 26, Olney, 111. , clerk; discharged Nov. 19, 

1898. 
Behymer, Alvin, 30, Noble, 111., railroader. 
Black, David, 28, Calhoun, farmer; transferred to Hosp. 

Corps, June 10, 1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 47 

Busunder, Ralph, 20, Clay City, farmer; transferred to First 

111. Vol. Caw, June 9, 1898. 
Byer, John, 20, Olney, 111., student; appointed Corp., June 

13, 1898; discharged March 15, 1899. 
Byers, Lyman, 18, Olney, 111., student; discharged Sept. 

16, 1898. 
Christy, Earnest, 19, Olney, 111., merchant; appointed 

Corp., Sept. 10, 1898. 
Coen, John O., 31, Olney, 111., farmer; appointed Corp., 

Dec. 1, 1898. 
Cope, Orner, 28, Olney, 111., brickmason. 
Coventry, Clinton C. , 23, Olney, 111., teacher; appointed 

Corp., Dec. 1, 1898. 
Duvall, Edward J., 23, Olney, 111., laborer. 
Eckenrode. James A., 22, Olney, 111., merchant. 
Edmiston, Clarence, 20, Olney, 111., student; discharged 

Feb. 3, 1899. 
Evans, Pearl, 27, Noble, 111., railroader. 
Ewing, Walter, 22, Evansville, Ind., embalmer; transferred 

to Hosp. Corps, June 10, 1898. 
Fishback, Clyde, 18, Olney, 111., student; discharged Sept. 

12, 1898. 
Fleming, George, 19, Olney, 111., student; appointed Corp. 

March 24, 1899. 
Frey, Edward, 32, Collinville, 111., farmer. 
Genoway, Theodore, 23, Passport, 111., farmer. 
Gordon, Charles, 19, Sumner, 111., baker, discharged Jan. 

24, 1899. 
Gross, Edward O., 23, Olney, 111., clerk. 
Guess, Alma, 19, Sumner, 111., painter. 
Harlan, Andrew, 24, Sumner, 111., laborer; dishonorably 

discharged Dec. 27, 1898. 
Harlan, Samuel, 20, Sumner, 111., laborer. 



48 HISTORY OF THE 

Harmon, Cameron, 22, Ingraham, III., farmer; discharged 

Apr. 4, 1899. 
Harmon, Harry, 24, Olney, 111., laborer. 
Hans, Rutherford, 21, Parkersburg, 111., laborer; appointed 

Corp., July 13, 1899. 
Heath, Thomas, 23, Claremont, 111., clerk. 
Heim, John, 24, Olney, 111., plasterer. 
Iaun, Alexander, 24, Olney., 111., butcher. 
Kaser, Jacob, 21, Olney, 111., shoemaker. 
Kinkade, John, 28, Olney, 111., farmer; discharged Apr. 4, 

1899. 
Kinkade, Robert, 32, Olney, 111., Farmer. 
Kitch, Roy L. , 22, Cairo, 111., Clerk. 
Laws, Almon, 23, Sumner, 111., Painter. 
Laws, Frederick, 20, Sumner, 111., Stock Buyer. 
Locke, Harry, 18, Olney, 111., Farmer. 
McCawley, Barnard, 18, Clay City, 111., Laborer. 
Mather, William T., 22, Olney, 111., Barber. 
Newson, Amos, 25, Olney, 111., Farmer. 
Nickerson, Charles, 18, Olney, 111., Student; appointed 

Corp., May 19, 1898. 
Pampe, Louis, 22, Parkersburg, Farmer. 
Patterson, William, 23, Parkersburg, Farmer. 
Petty, Roy, 20, Sumner, 111. , Engineer. 
Ridgley, Archibald, 19, Olney, 111., Student. 
Richey, George, 19, Olney, 111., Farmer. 
Robinson, Richard, 21, Olney, 111., Clerk; appointed Corp. 

July 13, 1898; discharged Nov. 3, 1898. 
Rose, Thomas, 18, Clay City, 111., Laborer; appointed 

Musician, Nov. 6, 1898. 
St. John, Paul, 18, Olney, 111., Student; appointed Corp. 

May 19, 1898. 
Beibold, Frank, 19, Olney, 111., Student; discharged March 

13, 1899. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 49 

Rhode, Earl S., 20, Olney, 111., Jurist; appointed Corp. 

July 13, 1898. 
Houston, Jasper, 36, Ingraham, 111., Farmer. 
Teney, Harry, 20, Olney, 111., Laborer. 
Terhune, William, 30, Sumner, 111., Farmer; appointed 

Chief Cook, Feb. 1. 
Van Scyoc, Shannon, 28, Sumner, 111., Clerk. 
Wallis, Edward, 18, Olney, 111., Student; discharged Nov. 

3, 1898. 
Wallis, Robert, 18, Olney, 111., Student; appointed Corp. 

July 1, 1898; discharged Nov. 3, 1898. 
Webb, John, 20, Olney, 111., Farmer. 
Weir, Benjamin, 18, Olney, 111., Printer. 
Weston, Adam, 19, Olney, 111., Farmer. 
Wharf, Eugene, 19, Olney, 111., Student; discharged Feb. 

15- 1899. 
Wood, Medford, 23, Olney, 111., Laborer. 
Zook, Arthur, 18, Olney, 111., Mechanic. 

RECRUITS ENLISTED JUNE 21, 1 898.. 

Balding, Henry, 21, Samsville, 111., Farmer. 

Barnard, Stephen, 24, Orleans, Ind., Farmer. 

Christy, Clinton, 22, Olney, 111., Printer. 

Colvin, Peter, 21, Olney, 111., Printer. 

Cutter, Harry, 18 Olney, 111., Painter. 

Donnells, Gilbert, 23, Newling, Ind., Farmer; discharged 

Nov. 27, 1898. 
Fleener, George, 26, Wakefield, Farmer. 
Gharst, John, 23, Claremont, Farmer; discharged Dec. 28, 

1898. 
Johnson, George, 21, Sumner, 111., Hostler. 
Linxwiler, Clarence, 20, Sumner, 111., Laborer. 
Loughmiller, Bunn, 26, Hancock, Ind., Farmer. 
Mattingly, Charles, 18, Olney, 111., Farmer. 



"50 HISTORY OF THE 

McGuire, Cree, 22, Carmi, 111., Farmer. 

Miller, George, 29, Wakefield, 111., Farmer. 

Moore, Otis, 23, Calhoun, 111., Farmer. 

O'Kean, Charles, 37, Olney, 111., Laborer. 

Patterson, Arthur, 24, Grayville, 111., bookkeeper; appoint- 
ed corporal, Sept. 10, 1898. 

Runyen, Burt, 20, Olney, 111., Brickmason. 

Roberts. Frank, 24, Sumner, 111., Farmer. 

Simon, John, 24, Claremont, 111., Farmer. 

Sloan, Frank, 25, Clay City, III, Cooper. 

Sutherland, Clay, 18, Sumner, 111., Farmer. 

Sumner, Henry, 33, Sumner, 111., Engineer. 

Williamson, Roland, 21, Calhoun, 111., Laborer. 

Wright, Frank, 25, Calhoun, 111., Laborer. 

Houser, Rolla, 21, Berryville, 111., Farmer; enlisted at 
Jacksonville, Fla. , Aug., 1898. 

Musgrove, Virgil, 23, Claremont, 111., Farmer; enlisted at 
Jacksonville, Fla., Aug., 1898. 

All not otherwise mentioned as discharged were mustered 
out on May 2, 1899, at Augusta, Ga. 



N. P. PAVEY. 



Captain N. P. Pavey, whose portrait is here given, is 
twenty-four years of age. In 1890 he entered the Western 
Military Academy, and in 1892 was appointed first lieu- 
tenant and adjutant, and graduated from that institution 
as captain in 1894. 

He was specialy recommended to President Cleveland 
for appointment in the United States Army, by Capt. Jesse 
M. Lee, United States Army Inspector of Military Acade- 
mies. 

Organized a company at Mt. Vernon, Illinois, which 




A f /S C 



2f-litt*M£p4!ri*t1S 



52 HISTORY OF THE 

was mustered into the Illinois National Guards as Company 
D, Sixth Infantry, and was elected captain by acclamation, 
June 17, 1896. 

The company was afterward transfered to the Fourth 
Infantry, to be designated Company F. In the relation 
he voluntered his services to the United States, and entered 
Camp Tanner at Springfield, Illinois, April 26, 1898, and 
was with the Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in said serv- 
ice, until it was mustered out at Camp McKenzie, Augusta, 
Georgia, May 2d, 1899. 

Captain Pavey is the youngest of three sons of General 
C. W. Pavey, ex-auditor of the state, and at present spec- 
ial examiner, Department of Justice. 



WILBUR E. SATTERFIELD. 

Lieut. Wilbur E. Satterfield was born near Mt. Ver- 
non, Jefferson county, Illinois, March 31, 1871. He com- 
pleted his education in the Mt. Vernon high school. June 1 , 
1896, he was mustered into Company F, Fourth Illinois 
National Guards, as a private, and soon after was appointed 
first sergeant of the company; volunteered his services to 
the United States on the 24th of April, 1898, and on the 
17th of May, of the same year, was mustered into the 
United States volunteer service. In this capacity he held 
the position of first sergeant until March 27, 1899, when he 
was appointed second lieutenant, receiving his commission 
April 17, of same year; and as such was mustered out at 
Augusta, Georgia, with his company on the 2d of May, 
1899. 



COMPANY F. 



A company of militia had been talked of in Mt. Ver- 
non for a year or more, the result of which was the organ- 
ization of a company that was sworn into the military serv- 
ice of the state on the evening of June 17, 1896, Colonel 
Washburn of the Fourth Regiment officiating. This com- 
pany with its fifty-three enlisted men was designated as 
Company D, Sixth Regiment Illinois National Guards. An 
election was held the same evening, which resulted in the 
election of N. P. Pavey, captain; T. P. Shanahan, first 
lieutenant; and W. H. Woodworth, second lieutenant. 
Arms and equipment did not arrive until about two weeks 
later. It being such a short time till the annual encamp- 
ment and all the members, with very few exceptions, being 
unacquainted with military matters, we drilled about three 
hours six nights in the week until July 25, when we went 
into camp at Springfield, where the company, though the 
youngest in camp, made a very creditable showing. 

The Sixth Regiment being from the northern part of 
the state, the officials took the first opportunity to transfer 
our company to a command nearer home, which was done 
by an order issued from the adjutant-general's office about 
August 10, 1896, transferring us to the Fourth Regiment 
and designating the organization as Company F, where it 
has since remained. 

Lieutenant Woodworth resigned in November, 1896, 
he being succeeded by Corporal F. J. Baldwin. Lieuten- 
ant Shanahan resigned in February, 1897, and was suc- 
ceeded by Sergeant Edwin M. Dufur. Lieutenant Bald- 



54 HISTORY OF THE 

win resigned in June, 1897, and was succeeded by Sergeant 
Pearl Legge. Lieutenant Baldwin was the last of our 
officers to resign, there being no other change in the officers 
till March, 1899, when Lieutenant Dufur was relieved from 
the service, the company being in Cuba at the time. Lieu- 
tenant Legge was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by 
Lieutenant Dufur's leaving the service and First Sergeant W. 
E. Satterfield was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by 
Lieutenant Legge's promotion. 

But, to return to a narrative of the company's history. 
Soon after returning from camp in 1896 it was decided to 
hold drills once a week, which custom was continued up to 
the time of entering the volunteer service in the Spanish- 
American war. Company F went to the annual encamp- 
ment again on July 21, 1897, and during the week's tour of 
duty we took part in the military parade at the dedication 
of the Logan monument in Chicago, July 26. After return- 
ing home nothing of importance occurred until early in the 
winter when the Cuban trouble began to attract attention. 
The stirring events occurring there were, of course, watched 
by all Americans and the members of our company were 
no exception to the rule. The daily papers were closely 
watched and when it was announced that the government 
at Washington had set a time when Spain must have either 
conquered the people of the Island or withdraw, the war 
began to grow still more interesting. It was only a short 
time till the members of our company began to talk of 
"going to Cuba" and some of the more visionary ones 
doubtless saw themselves winning fame and glory upon 
many hotly contested battle-fields in the Queen of the 
Antilles. The day-dreamers, however, were aroused from 
their lethargy on February 16, 1898, when the news of the 
awful work in Havana Harbor, the night before, cast a 
gloom over our country. Then it was that the'boys began 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 5 5 

to realize that our "going to Cuba " would probably be a 
reality within the next few months. On April 23, 1898, 
our company was asked whether it would tender its serv- 
ices to the national government in the coming war. A 
meeting was held the next afternoon. Although it was 
Sunday the hall was crowded with patriotic citizens who 
were anxious to be present upon the occasion which was of 
so much importance to the members of our company. The 
roll was called with the request that those who would en- 
list should answer to their names and step forward. It was 
only a matter of a few moments when every one in the 
ranks had signified their willingness to serve their country 
in time of need. This action was approved by a hearty 
cheer from the spectators. There were five or six mem- 
bers of the company, however, who, for various reasons, 
did not make their appearance at the meeting that after- 
noon and, of course, did not enlist. 

Late on the night of April 25, 1898, orders were re- 
ceived directing Company F to report at Springfield, so the 
boys knew what it meant when they heard "assembly" 
sounding at the armory the next morning. As each man 
reported he was directed to return home and don his uniform 
at once, as it was thought that we could get away that 
afternoon. Transportation was not arranged, though, 
till the next morning. Assembling at the armory at 6 
o'clock the morning of the 27th, we marched to the station 
headed by the Mt. Vernon Military Band and followed by 
nearly the entire population of our city. The events of 
the next few moments will be long remembered by hundreds 
of eye-witnesses and participants. Some knew what war 
meant — others did not; the knowledge of some along these 
lines had been acquired by actual experience — that of 
others had been learned at father's knee or gleaned from 
school-books. But regardless of all this, war, with all its 



56 HISTORY OF THE 

horrors, appeared more real to many of our friends and 
relatives that morning than it had ever seemed before. 
With the God-speeds of friends and the tears of those 
nearer, our train started at 6:20 A. M. for Springfield — a 
date long to be remembered. 

Nothing of importance occurred until Litchfield was 
reached, where Company K joined us. We arrived at 
Springfield about 1 1 A. M. and in the course of half an 
hour the cars had been switched into the state fair grounds, 
where we unloaded and were soon among the multitude of 
patriotic sons of Illinois who had preceded us. Company 
F was quartered in the Polled Angus stock barn, together 
with Companies B and C, which were already comfortably 
located, the former being up-stairs and the other two on 
the ground floor. Our company, on arrival at Springfield, 
contained sixty-six enlisted men. Within a week or two 
Captain Pavey returned to Mt. Vernon, where he enlisted 
eight more men, who joined the company about May II. 
This date, however, was preceded by an occurrence that 
will long be remembered by many of the boys. We were 
soundly sleeping a few nights previous, when, upon being 
aroused, it seemed that all the noise and noise-making 
apparatus had been turned loose in Camp Tanner. After 
rubbing our eyes for a few moments and wondering what it 
all meant, some one was heard to say that Dewey had 
completely annihilated the Spanish fleet at Manila. The 
celebration was kept up for some time, when the noise 
finally ceased, and quiet reigned supreme once more. Of 
the seventy-four enlisted men reporting for examination in 
Company F, ten were rejected. It was a sore disappoint- 
ment to some of them. After the examination several men 
came into the company from various sources. Two were 
received from the Second Regiment, two from the Seventh, 
four from Company C, of the Fourth, and two enlisted 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 57 

with the company at Camp Tanner. The day we were 
mustered into the national service a member of the hospital 
corps Wets sent to be sworn in with our company. Pre- 
viously having the required number, this made one too 
many, so it became necessary to drop out one of our own 
members. This was remedied by one of the boys volun- 
tarily offering to return home. Company F was then, on 
the afternoon of May 19, 1898, sworn into the national 
service. The members of the company returned to their 
quarters declaring that their days of " tin soldiering " had 
passed. Early in the evening of May 25 our regiment 
received orders to proceed to Tampa. Part of the night 
was spent in writing to the folks at home, while another 
part was devoted to an entirely different occupation. Many 
of the boys, believing that all is fair in love and war, and 
knowing the regard the average American has for relics of 
war, began, after the lights were out, looking for such 
blouses as were yet adorned with buttons in order that he 
might become possessed thereof. The next morning some 
of the buttons were gone from nearly all of the blouses and 
all from some of them. 

We were up early the morning of May 26, and by 5 :oo 
o'clock were ready to board the cars. It was a weary wait, 
however, as Company F. consisting of eighty-three enlisted 
men, did not go aboard until three o'clock in the afternoon. 
Company F together with the remainder of the First Bat- 
talion was on the last section of the special, until East St. 
Louis was reached, when we took the lead the rest of the way. 
Belleville was reached about 1 1:00 P. M., where several of 
the home folks were patiently awaiting our arrival. This 
city being the home of Colonel Andel, it had been the inten- 
tion to have a parade there, but owing to the lateness of the 
hour this was dispensed with, and after stopping an hour, 
we again resumed our journey. It was cheering indeed to 



58 HISTORY OF THE 

see the many ways devised by the people in the little towns 
through which we passed, in order to give vent to their 
patriotic enthusiasm. The arrival of the train was an- 
nounced by the blowing of whistles and tremenduous cheer- 
ing. 

While in Cairo, Illinois, the writer was sitting by a 
comrade whose travels, up to this time, had probably not 
been very extensive. This young man was intently gazing 
upon the placid Mississippi when, upon turning around, he 
said, "I wouldn't take two hundred dollars for what I've 
seen already." At Jackson, Tennessee, we were entertained 
by some Jacksonian youths who greeted us by saying: " Us 
Southern people don't like you ' Nawthen ' people." This 
indeed seemed rather strange and some of the boys began 
thinking we had got in the wrong pew by coming south. 
Happy to say all such thoughts as these were dispelled long 
before we reached Jacksonville. 

But, before leaving Tennessee, the writer desires to 
relate a little incident that happened while a passenger 
train was passing ours which was on a switch. A passenger 
in one of the coaches yelled out as he went by: " Where 
you from?" when one of our boys replied: "We're from Mt. 
Vernon," not stopping to think that possibly the questioner 
had never heard of Mt. Vernon and maybe did not know 
what state it is in. 

The people of Albany, Georgia, will always hold a 
warm place in the memory of many soldiers for their kind 
treatment. Upon arriving there we found an abundant 
supply of refreshments awaiting us, consisting of sand- 
wiches, cake, cream puffs, light rolls, lemonade, Georgia 
biscuits, cigars, cigarettes and tobacco. 

Jacksonville was reached at 3:00 A. M., May 29, after 
being on the road about sixty hours. The camp was located 
in a section of Jacksonville known as Springfield, and until 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 59 

the formal name of "Cuba Libre" was adopted it was 
known as Camp Springfield. The boys doubtless remember 
the many stories that were soon put into circulation regard- 
ing the camp and its location. One report had it that the 
camp was located in a cemetery where two thousand five 
hundred yellow fever victims had been buried, and that it 
was positively against the law to dig into the earth at all, 
for fear of stirring up fever germs. Many of the new arriv- 
als believed these stories at first, and it was quite a while 
before they ventured to dig small trenches around their 
tents in order to carry off the rain. 

Had it not been for the story tellers, camp life at 
times would have been monotonous in the extreme. There 
was one story that went the rounds at old Camp Springfield 
which the writer believes will bear repeating here. This is 
the story: All persons having knowledge of military mat- 
ters and regulations remember that it is the duty of the 
guard stationed at the guard house to call, " Turn out the 
guard " and at the same time announcing the rank of the 
officer, when one entitled to the compliment is seen approach- 
ing guard headquarters. One day a New Jersey boy who 
was walking his post in a military manner at the guard house 
saw the brigadier-general coming. Being a stranger to mili- 
tary matters and becoming somewhat confused, he gave vent 
to the following expression: " Here comes the head guy! 
Turn out the push!" 

About three weeks after arriving at Jacksonville, the 
companies in the volunteer army were increased to one hun- 
dred and three enlisted men. Sergt. C. U. Stull was 
selected as the recruiting officer for Company F. He 
seturned home and in the course of three days had suc- 
ceeded in enlisting twenty men, all of which, with the 
exception of two, volunteered from Mt. Vernon, there 
being eighteen from our city and two from Belleville. 



60 HISTORY OF THE 

Camp Springfield was occupied until about August 10, 
when the regiment removed to a new camp at Panama 
Park. This, indeed, proved a bad move for the regiment, 
for within two weeks typhoid fever began to claim its vic- 
tims and by the end of the first week of September not half 
of the command was fit for duty. This was a sad time for 
the Fourth Illinois, as well as for the other regiments lo- 
cated at Panama Park. Then, too, many a home in the 
North land was overshadowed by gloom upon the receipt of 
intelligence that death had claimed a loved one. Although 
Company F had many in the hospital at this time, it was 
hoped that the company would emerge from the dark pe- 
riod with no vacant places but this was not to be. At 7: 1 5 
P. M., Wednesday, September 14, 1898, occurred the death 
of our beloved comrade, Private John Bert Reid. 

Another soul had wended its way 

To the realms of joy above 
Where all are free from sorrow and pain, 

And dwell in peace and love. 

The next evening the members of our company, heart- 
broken and sad, followed the remains to the terminal station 
in Jacksonville; a salute was fired, taps were sounded and 
a hero had gone from our ranks. 

It would be difficult to predict what the final result 
would have been had the regiment remained in the fever 
stricken camp, but incompliance with an order issued about 
September 22, the entire regiment removed into the city of 
Jacksonville, where it did provost duty during the remainder 
of our stay there. 

Companies M, F and K were stationed at provost sta- 
tion No. 4, which was located in the eastern part of the city, 
not far from Fairfield. Company M left this station some- 
time later and Company K also left us about two weeks be- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 6 1 

fore we went to Savannah. The troops at provost station 
No. 4 had charge of the street car line, a saloon in the 
neighborhood and some stands near the camps in Fairfield. 
On October 23, Company F, together with three other 
companies of the regiment, received orders to proceed to 
Savannah and in pursuance to such orders, began packing 
our belongings and making preparations to leave for our 
new location. After the tents were down and packed, the 
information was received that it had been decided not to 
send us till the next day, so we marched down to provost 
headquarters to spend the night. Several of thdse who had 
a sufficient quantity of the coin of the realm contributed 
part of it in payment for a bed for the night. With many 
of them, this was the first time they had slept in a bed 
since leaving home. The boys spent October 24 in seeing 
the sights of Jacksonville for the last time. Company F 
left provost headquarters at 9 o'clock that night and 
marched to the terminal station, where, after waiting about 
two hours, we were loaded into two very poor cars. The 
cars were equipped with short slat seats and more than two- 
thirds of the windows had been broken out, so that the 
prospect for a pleasant trip to Savannah seemed rather out 
of the question. Major Bennett, who was acting provost 
marshal at the time, however, informed the railroad offi- 
cials that he would not allow men under his command to 
ride in such cars, while Dr. Galbraith informed them that 
they would be responsible for the health of the men who 
rode in such cars. The objection made by our two officers 
proving successful, we were soon comfortably situated in 
two nice coaches. The train pulled out of Jacksonville at 
12:30 A. M., October 15, arriving at Savannah about 9:15 
A. M., covering the distance of one hundred and seventy- 
eight miles in about nine hours. The trip was without in- 
cident. 



62 HISTORY OF THE 

Company F occupied provost station No. 4, which was 
afterward changed to No. 5. The camp was on Bull street 
just south of Extension Park. Savannah, without doubt, 
has some of the kindest people on earth within its limits. 
We were very tired and hungry on arriving at our new 
camp and not having the cooking apparatus in good working 
order the prospects for supper were rather gloomy. Imag- 
ine our surprise and joy when a servant of a lady living near 
by was seen approaching us with an abundant supply of 
sandwiches and butter. Pretty soon another lady sent over 
a big boiler of coffee with cream and sugar, so that we did 
not fare so badly after all. 

Our boys will always recall with pleasure the events 
of Thanksgiving day, November 24. In the afternoon six 
large tables were constructed and placed in our company 
street. This work had scarcely been completed when our 
neighbors began to arrive with such articles as would tickle 
the palate of an epicure. The ungainly appearance of the 
rough pine tables was soon lost in their covering of snow 
white linen, while the decorations of pink and white crysan- 
themums completed a picture which only an artist could 
paint. The arrangement of the tables was completed about 
4 o'clock, when the company fell in and marched to the 
rear of the tables where we halted long enough for several 
camera owners to photograph the scene. The two ranks 
of the company then separated and marched down either 
side of the tables until each man came opposite a plate, 
when the command "Seats" was given. Under each 
plate was found a daintily folded napkin and a beautiful 
button-hole boquet. 

When seated the boys laid aside the little rules they 
had learned at mother's table in years gone by, and pro- 
ceeded in the most comfortable way to supply the wants of 
the inner man. That this was done to the entire satisfac- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 63 

tion of all concerned goes without saying. After all had 
finished a speech was called for, and Private Combs respond- 
ed in a few well chosen words, in which he thanked the 
people of the vicinity for their hospitality. When the 
tables were cleared and the dishes washed, it was discov- 
ered that we had left twenty pies, four turkeys, ten pounds 
of celery, six pounds of butter and two gallons of potato 
salad, which were disposed of for dinner the next day. 

For several days there had been talk of our regiment 
being removed from provost duty, as we had then been 
policemen for more than two months. Our boys had hoped 
that this talk would prove unfounded, for we were located 
in a most excellent community and had made many friends 
there. As a result of this it was with no little regret that, 
on November 29, Company F left its pleasant surround- 
ings and went into regimental camp. Company H, Third 
Nebraska, relieved us. Only a little more than four weeks 
had been spent in regimental camp when, on Sunday, Jan- 
uary 1, the Fourth Illinois received orders to proceed to 
Cuba. The Ninth Illinois received orders at the same time 
and both regiments went on the transport Mobile. We 
began packing early Monday morning and the wagons com- 
menced hauling our baggage to the wharf at noon. The 
Ninth went on board the vessel Monday evening while we 
remained in camp. Having all our bedding packed and it 
being rather cool, not many of us slept much. We were, 
of course, up early the next morning and after disposing of 
a rather limited breakfast and cleaning up the quarters, we 
fell in and marched to the wharf. The assignment of quar- 
ters was a rather slow task and it was not until 10:25 A. M. 
when Company F marched on board, where we soon re- 
lieved ourselves of our load and went above to get a part- 
ing look at the wharves of Savannah and bid good-bye to 
the many friends who had come to see the start. Our quar- 



64 HISTORY OF THE 

ters, by the way, were on the third deck, so that it was 
necessary to go down three flights of stairs to get to them. 
At 11:15 A. M. Tuesday, January 3, the Mobile was loosed 
from her moorings and amid the cheers of the hundreds of 
people who were on the different wharves along the river 
the twenty-five hundred men on board began the journey 
to Cuba. 

A short distance down the river we passed the Rou- 
mania, with the Second South Carolina on board, and which 
followed a few minutes later. About half way down the 
river our tug released its ropes and bade us good-bye. The 
Roumania kept in sight until we got out to sea a short dis- 
tance, when she disappeared behind us. By 2 o'clock we, 
for the first time in our lives, were out of sight of land and 
also out beyond the boundaries of the United States. A 
little later many of the boys began showing the effects of 
their first voyage at sea. Along the railing on either side 
of the upper deck there was a solid row of the boys intently 
engaged in "feeding the fish." To those who were not 
similarly affected it seemed rather laughable, and disregard- 
ing the seriousness of the affair we well ones comforted the 
unlucky boys as best we could by giving vent to such ex- 
pressions as "Fall in to vomit," "Feed the fish," or upon 
seeing some one approach the railing some one would 
shout, "You're next." The ocean Tuesday afternoon was 
smooth, but that night the wind increased and the rolling 
sea caused the troubles of many on board to grow. 

The next morning the upper deck was crowded with 
those who were anxious to see the first rays of sunlight 
break over the deep. The light on St. Anastasia island, 
St. Augustine, was sighted about 7 o'clock, but no land 
was visible. Soon after noon the coast of Florida came in 
sight and several land marks were passed, among which 
were Palm Beach, one of Florida's winter resorts, a 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 65 

wrecked schooner and a lighthouse. The lights of Miami 
came into view about 10 P. M. That was the last sign of 
life we saw in the United States. 

Members of the crew had informed us that we would 
reach Havana about noon Thursday, and as a result the 
deck was crowded early in the day with those who were 
anxious to get a first glimpse of the Cuban coast. About 
11:30 land was sighted several miles east of Havana, and 
soon we were close enough to get a good view of the coun- 
try near the ocean. Gloomy Morro appeared about 1:30 P. 
M., and soon the blowing of whistles and the shouting of 
people along the wharves announced our entrance into far- 
famed Havana harbor. Probably the first and most grati-* 
fying sight to all of us on entering the harbor was the Stars 
and Stripes floating over Morro and over the buildings of 
the city. 

The Mobile tied up at 2 P. M., Thursday, January 5, 
after a voyage of about fifty hours. We remained on 
board that night, going ashore the next morning and leav- 
ing for our new camp in the afternoon. Thursday night 
we had the pleasure of seeing the searchlights of our war 
vessels as they swept the harbor. After going ashore we 
were not allowed to go beyond the limits of the sheds; but 
even within these narrow limits the new arrivals saw many 
things that were new to them, among which was a Spanish 
orderly who had been sent to accompany an American offU 
cer to the wharf. This being our first sight of a Spanish 
soldier, some of our readers can imngine how we gathered 
around him to get a good look at one of the servants of the 
boy king of Spain. Then the odd-looking drays of Ha- 
vana began making their appearance on the driveway. 
Soon after our small dinner of hard tack, corned beef, 
baked beans and black coffee had been consumed, the 
smokers began to make the acquaintance of Cuban cigars 



-66 HISTORY OF THE 

and cigarettes. On account of the low prices of cigars, it 
was no trouble for the boys to obtain genuine "Havana 
fillers." 

In passing through the business streets to our new 
camp, we were enthusiastically cheered by the business 
men and pedestrians. Cuban flags and the Stars and Stripes 
were to be seen everywhere, and in passing the English 
consul's residence the old gentleman was seen diligently 
waving a British flag and an American banner. After one 
of the hottest marches we had enjoyed since leaving home, 
our new camp was reached. The location, like all others, 
was an ideal one, and it was only a few days until we were 
again settled down to the ordinary routine of camp life. 

On February 19 our brigade, as well as most other 
brigades of the Seventh Army Corps, started on a nine 
days' march to Guines, a town of probably ten thousand 
population, located about thirty miles southeast of Havana. 
On account of want of space the writer will not attempt to 
describe this trip, but suffice it to say it will long be remem- 
bered by those who took part in it. 

About the middle of March the regiments of the 
Seventh Army Corps began receiving orders to return to 
the United States to be mustered out. The receipt of such 
' orders was always the signal for wild demonstrations. Our 
yelling time came Monday, April 3, but as circumstances 
alter cases, the boys of our regiment were not given the 
opportunity to join in a grand chorus of cheers such as some 
of the other regiments had done in the past. Orders came 
Monday afternoon and the companies were lined up in their 
respective streets at different times to listen to the reading 
of the good news. Those who had been anticipating a 
trip to Montauk Point or Camp Meade, Pennsylvania, were 
somewhat disappointed, but nevertheless all were glad to 
know that our service in Cuba would soon be at an end and 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 6j 

knowing the rainy season would not find us on the island. 
Tuesday morning the boys were lined up, and after dispos- 
ing of a hastily prepared breakfast, they finished packing 
their belongings and took the tents down. The wagons 
drove in, the baggage was loaded, and it was soon on its 
way to the wharf. 

We, the First Battalion, band and headquarters, left 
the old camp at 9:15. While not regretting having to 
leave for the states, every member of the regiment will 
doubtless have pleasant memories of this camp, for, besides 
being camped there longer than at any previous camp, the 
health of the men was better than at any other camp. 

The march to the wharf was a very dusty one, but the 
thoughts of coming events probably kept the men from 
complaining. The wharf was reached about noon, and 
after waiting for the baggage to be loaded we went aboard 
two government tugs and were taken out to the Plant line 
steamer Whitney. At 6 o'clock the mouth of the harbor 
was left behind, and we got our last glimpse of the rugged 
walls of Morro. The vessel not being fitted for regular 
transport service, there were no berths except the state- 
rooms, and of course these were not for common soldiers, 
so the boys scattered over the decks and available places, 
reminding one of the steerage apartment of an emigrant 
steamer. The lights of Key West were sighted at 5 o'clock 
Wednesday morning. A short time before noon we struck 
a rough sea and several cases of sea-sickness followed. 
That night, however, was the roughest time we experienced 
on the water. The wind almost blew a gale, which made 
it quite laughable to see some of the uninitiated sons of Illi- 
nois try to walk the deck and keep their feet. In attempt- 
ing to do so one would give a short exhibition of a cake 
walk, closely followed by figures unknown to any dancing 
professor, ancient or modern. At 6:45 A. M. Thursday, the 



68 HISTORY OF THE 

Whitney anchored off the quarantine station on Egmont 
Island, twenty-five miles southwest of Tampa, and in the 
afternoon, by means of lighters and tugs, succeeded in 
getting ashore. 

After arriving on the wharf the companies were lined 
up and marched past one of the fumigating plants, where 
we were relieved of our blanket bag and blanket roll, being 
allowed to take no equipment to the camp except gun, 
belt, bayonet, canteen and haversack. Egmont is one of 
the group of islands at the mouth of Tampa bay. It is 
composed of sand, is half a mile wide and two miles long. 
Besides the quarantine station, a lighthouse is also located 
here. 

After three days of very close confinement in quaran- 
tine, the First and Second Battalions of our regiment left 
Egmont Key Monday morning, April 10, aboard the Plant 
line steamboat Margaret, for Tampa, where we landed 
about 2 o'clock. About 3 o'clock the first section of our 
train left Port Tampa over the Plant system. The night 
passed without incident and we were rejoicing over the fact 
that Savannah would soon be reached, thus ending a very 
tiresome journey. Then many of the boys, especially 
those who had a best girl awaiting them, had commenced 
to prepare for the pleasant meeting, when, at a junction 
three miles from the city, hope and happy anticipation 
were shattered when the news came that we were not going 
to Savannah at all; instead, Augusta was to be our destina- 
tion. The boys, like true soldiers, soon forget these 
troubles and were making the best of it. At Yamassee, 
South Carolina, our train was switched from the Plant 
system to the Charleston & West Carolina, over which we 
entered Augusta at 1:25 in the afternoon, making the 
journey of five hundred and forty-seven miles from Port 
Tampa in about twenty-two hours. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 69 

The members of Company F were given the physical 
examination April 17, which all troops were required to 
pass before being mustered out. Our arms were turned in 
at the arsenal at Augusta on the morning of April 27, just 
one year after leaving home for the war. 

On Tuesday morning May 2, 1899, with the rest of 
the Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company F passed . 
into history. The regiment was mustered out by noon. 
Company F being on the first section of the special train, 
left Augusta about 4 o'clock in the afternoon. A short 
distance out of Augusta it was learned that a wreck had 
occurred near Atlanta which necessitated our going by way 
of Smithville, Georgia. This made our train late and we 
did not arrive in Atlanta until six o'clock the next morning. 
After an hour's stay in Atlanta the train started for Chat- 
tanooga, where it arrived at 1 1 :oo A. M. To this city, 
however, our route led through Dalton, and Marietta, 
Georgia, two places made historic by General Sherman's 
army while on its march to the sea. Near Chattanooga we 
had the pleasure of seeing Lookout Mountain and Mission- 
ary Ridge. Chattanooga was left behind about noon and 
Nashville was reached a few minutes after six o'clock. At 
7:35 we left Nashville. Company F arrived at home at 
9:30 on the morning of May 4, 1899, after having been 
away just a year and a week. The approach of our train 
was announced by the firing of a cannon which was located 
in the yards of the Mt. Vernon Car Manufacturing Com- 
pany. The Mt. Vernon Military Band and hundreds of our 
friends and relatives had gathered at the station to welcome 
us home again. The company, or those of us who had not 
been hurried off home by our over-joyed relatives, fell in 
and, headed by the band and followed by the High School 
Cadets and Coleman Post G. A. R., marched to the public 
square where, after a few short addresses, the company was 



70 HISTORY OF THE 

disbanded. The next evening a sumptuous banquet was 
tendered the company by our citizens in the rooms of the 
Mt. Vernon Collegiate Institute, which rooms, by the way, 
had formerly been our armory and it was also in these 
rooms we had volunteered for the war a little more than a 
year before. After the banquet, the company adjourned 
to the Opera House, where a public reception was tendered 
us. Hon. C. H. Patton delivered an address of welcome, 
which was responded to in behalf of the company by Capt. 
N. P. Pavey, he being followed in a few words by Arthur 
T. French, who gave a short sketch of the company's trav- 
els. So ends our story. 

ARTHUR T. FRENCH. 



ROSTER, COMPANY F. 

Pavey, Neil P., Captain, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Dufur, Edmund M., First Lieutenant, Mt. Vernon, ill. 
Legge, Pearl, Second Lieutenant, Mt. Vernon, 111. ; pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant, vice Dufur dismissed. 

SERGEANTS. 

Satterfield, William, First Sergeant, Mt. Vernon, 111.; pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant, vice Legge promoted. 
Patton, Otto C, Quartermaster Sergeant, Mt. Vernon, 111- 
Rice, James, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
McCurdy, Charles, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Stull, Charles U., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

CORPORALS. 

Gibson, Edgar, Mt. Vernon, 111.; promoted to Serg't. 
Hinman, Earl, Mt. Vernon, 111.; promoted to Serg't. 
Stearns, Will E., Mt. Vernon, 111.; reduced to ranks. 




{ 

■ 



&aa 



"2 HISTORY OF THE 

Brandon, Henry ]., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Pasley, Chan, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Lorton, Ernest A., 106 East Second street, Alton, 111. 
Brooks, Charles, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Cotton, Sam C. , Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Stanley, David, Chicago, 111. ; reduced to ranks. 
Sergeant, William H., Chicago, 111.; reduced to ranks. 
Bavless, Cromwell, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Dunley, T. S., Marlow, 111. 

Cooper, Thomas, Mt. Vernon, 111. ; reduced at ranks at his 
own request. 

MUSICIANS. 

Wolf. Alfred B., Mt. Vernon, 111, 

Swift, Alva, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Polk, Albert H., Artificer, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Hunter, Edward, Wagoner, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

PRIVATES. 

Anderson, William H., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Atkinson, John V., McLeansboro, 111. 

Boswell, FredF., Mt. Vernon, 111.; promoted to Corp. 

Benton, Henry M., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Bishop, Jesse, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Bowling, Jacob M., Carbondale, 111. 

Cooper, Richard L. , Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Combs, Earnest E. , Mulberry Grove, 111. 

Craig, Robert, Kinmundy, 111. 

Craig, Charles W., Kinmundy, 111. 

Cox, Samuel W., Spring Garden, 111. 

Dimmick, Pearl, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Dewey, Edgar A., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Daulton, Alonzo, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Easley, Oscar, Mt. Vernon, 111.; promoted to Corp. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 73 

Ellis, Lawrence, Wayne City, 111. 

Estes, Charles L., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Ellington, Charles, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

French, Arthur T., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Goodrich, Frank, Mt. Vernon, 111. ; promoted to Corp. 

Gilbert, W. Gus, Mt. Vernon, 111. ; promoted to Corp. 

Harris, William T., Fitzgerald, 111. 

Heiserman, Frank R., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Herman, Fred W., Jr., Mt. Vernon, 111.; Company Tailor. 

Holland, James M., Dahlgreen, 111. 

Hastings, Charles W., Makanda, 111. 

Jenkins, John M., Carbondale, 111. 

Johnson, William, Newman, 111. 

Koons, Joseph, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Karn, Earnest E., Belle River, 111.; promoted to Corp. 

Laird, Orley E., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Legge, Charles, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Morgan, George W., Mt. Vernon, 111.; promoted to Corp. 

Moyer, Frank. Mt. Vernon, 111.; promoted to Corp. 

Malone, Cal., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Muir, Ed E., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Moore, Edgar T., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Mooney, Earnest V., Dayton, Ohio; promoted to Corp. 

Owens, Ed H., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Pierson, John, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Palmer, Charles, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Reid, Bert, Mt. Vernon, 111.; died Sept. 14, 1898. 

Redburn, Clarence H., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Redman, William, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Reece, James L., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Stephenson, Charles, Mt. Vernon, 111; promoted to Corp. 

Sprouse, John A., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Spies, John R., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Stanfield, Charles H., Buck Creek, Ind. 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

Trotter, Dohn C. O., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Traver, Carl, Clinton, Iowa. 

Wise, Joe, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Wilbanks, Crawford B., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Wood, John P., Dahlgren, 111. 

Wilford, Webster. Marion, III. 

Whitsell, George O., Mt. Vernon, 111. 

RECRUITS. 

Artzinga, Edward, Belleville. 111. 
Brougher, Austin L. , Obdyke, 111. 
Beagles, Ambrose, Mt. Vernon. 111. 
Dewey, Charles L., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Garrison, Harry L., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Garrison, Jasper, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Ketcham, Charles W., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
May, John R., Enfield, 111. 
Marks, Emerry A., Flint, 111. 
Maloney, John T., Jr., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
McMurray, John, Belleville, 111. 
Mason, Noel W., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Oldham, Ned B., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Rivers, Ferdinand R., Mt. Vernon. 111. 
Reece, Jesse A., Marlow, 111. 
Sowers, Lemuel, Marlow, 111. 
Solomon, Harris B., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Sursa, Samuel, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Threlkeld, Edward W., Mt. Vernon, 111. 
West, Bert, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
Woody, John W., Mattoon, Ky. 

Corporal Henry J. Brandon was transfered to the 
Signal Corps, a short time before leaving Savannah, 
Georgia. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 75 

Corporal Edward Gibson and Earl Hinman were pro- 
moted to sergeants while in Cuba. 

After weeks of waiting and repeated efforts we regret 
that a roster so incomplete has to be inserted. 



FERDINAND J. SCHRADER. 

Capt. Ferdinand J. Schrader, born December 7, 1870, 
at Belleville, Illinois, attended city public school, graduated 
therefrom in 1886, and accepted a position as clerk with 
the St. Clair Title Office, examiners of land titles, with 
which firm he is still connected. When Company D, 
Fourth Illinois National Guard, was organized, March 1, 
1894, he enlisted in its ranks as a private; soon after he 
was appointed corporal and then sergeant, and before he 
was in the service six months he was made first sergeant 
of said company. On March 25, 1895, he was elected 
second lieutenant of the company and served in that 
capacity until July 23, 1897, when he was elected first 
lieutenant. When, on April 26, 1898, the company volun- 
teered its service to the United States, and left for Spring- 
field, Illinois, he felt it his duty to go, leaving his young 
wife, whom he had married less than a year before, dan- 
gerously ill, with a baby but a few days old, and was mus- 
tered into the United States service on May 19, 1898, as the 
first lieutenant of Company D, Fourth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry. His sense of duty and pride kept him in the 
service until his company was mustered out at Augusta, 
Georgia, May 2, 1899. Upon the resignation of the cap- 
tain of the company at Jacksonville, Florida, in July, 1898, 

Lieutenant Schrader was recommended by the colonel of 

s 
the regiment as his successor and on July 15, 1898, he wa 




%fe i ra cCtr (C^h) flikutX<- 4 '- $ 



F.cJr 




I'Uitrt/yCllHilfarl. &Uut.)A.C/Jn$<. I 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 77 

commissioned as such by Governor Tanner. In the capacity 
of captain he served until the final muster out of his com- 
pany, at Augusta, Georgia, May 2, 1899. 



EDWARD ABEND, Jr. 

Lieut. Edward Abend, Jr., was born in Belleville, Illi- 
nois, February 5, 187 1, and where his home has been dur- 
ing these twenty-eight years of his life. He graduated 
from the public schools of this city when seventeen years of 
age, when he entered the employ of the Gas & Electric 
Light Company of his home town as collector and book- 
keeper, which position he held until November, 1897, 
when he was elected secretary and treasurer of the West- 
ern Brewing Company, which he filled until the call for 
troops in the American-Spanish war, which call he an- 
swered. 

In the year 1894 he organized Company D, Fourth 
I'llinois Volunteers, which organization was sworn in on the 
first of March, 1894, he entering its ranks as a private. 
On April 14th, of the same year, he was appointed cor- 
poral, and on July 3d received the appointment of second 
sergeant. March 2, 1896. he was made first sergeant, 
which position he filled until July 23, 1897, when he was 
commissioned second lieutenant. On the first call for vol- 
unteers in the late war, his company volunteered in a body, 
and he was mustered into the United States volunteer serv- 
ice May 19, 1898, bearing the same rank, that of second 
lieutenant. 

Capt. E. P. Rogers, of this company, having resigned 
his commission in the army July 15, 1898, and First Lieut. 
F. J. Schrader having been duly commissioned to fill the 
vacancy, Lieut. Abend was advanced to the rank of first 



78 HISTORY OF THE 

lieutenant, which position he held until November io, 
1898, when he tendered his resignation; returning to his 
native city, he at once resumed his position as secretary 
and treasurer of the Western Brewing Company. 



MILOSH R. HILGARD. 

Milosh R. Hilgard was born in 1870, and makes the 
business of plumber his occupation. He entered the United 
States service with his company, bearing a commission of 
second lieutenant, in which capacity he served until the 
time of First Lieutenant Abend's resignation, some months 
prior to the removal of the regiment to Havana, Cuba, 
when he was advanced to the position of first lieutenant, 
serving in this capacity until the company was released 
from the volunteer service by muster out. 



WILLIAM CASIMIR ANDEL. 

William Casimir Andel was born in Belleville, Illinois, 
on the 30th day of June, twenty-two years ago. 

He spent several years at the public school, of this city 
and then attended the Missouri Military Academy, of Mex- 
ico, Missouri, from which he graduated with honor in 1S95. 
He secured a position in the office of the Belleville Stove 
Works after returning to his native city and attended com- 
mercial college in the evenings. In July, 1895, he with 
his brother, George, joined Company D, Fourth Regiment 
Illinois National Guards, with which they went to Spring- 
field in 1898 to be mustered into the United States service 
to fight the Spaniards. Both the Andel boys remained 
privates, until August 8, when W. C. Andel was made 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 79 

Corporal, though their father was now their colonel and 
had the power to promote them; he showed no partiality 
even to his own sons. Late in the summer and fall, 
when the companies were much reduced by the illness of 
the men, Corporal Andel had double duty to do — being for 
a while the only corporal in the service of Company D. 
He also acted sergeant. Owing to his splendid constitu- 
tion he was none the worse for the overwork in spite of the 
dangerous climate of the southern states during the summer 
months. For his faithfulness to duty, and interest in his 
work he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company 
D on the 18th of November, 1898, filling the vacancy 
caused by the promotion of Lieutenant Hilgard to first lieu- 
tenant, taking the place of First Lieutenant Abend, 
resigned. 

On January 3, 1S99, the Fourth regiment sailed for 
Cuba, and both Lieutenant Andel and his brother, though 
the latter had been dangerously ill in Jacksonville, Florida, 
went with them; the latter afterwards got an honorable dis- 
charge and came home the last of January. Lieutenant 
Andel served in Cuba with his regiment until it returned to 
the United States in April, and was mustered out of the 
service in Augusta, Georgia, on May 2, 1899. He returned 
to his home with his company, and accepted his old posi- 
tion, which was kept open for him. 

After repeated efforts we find ourselves at the press, 
without an historic fact from Company D, which must not 
be construed as indicating a non-history-producing organ- 
ization. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. o !■ 

COMPANY D ROSTER 

When not otherwise stated, mustered in, May 19, 1898,. 
and mustered out, May 2, 1899. 

Schrader, FerdJ., Captain, Belleville, 111. 
Hilgard, Milosh R., First Lieutenant, Belleville, 111. 
Andel, William C, Second Lieutenant, Belleville, 111. 

SERGEANTS. 

Hutchinson, William, Belleville, 111.; enrolled as Serg't; 

appointed First Sergeant, August 5, 1898. 
Barnikol, Walter. Belleville, III.; mustered in as Corporal;. 

promoted to Serg't. Nov. 26, 1898; appointed 

Quartermaster Sergeant, March 2, 1899. 
Knoble, Adolph G., Belleville, 111. ; mustered in as Sergeant; . 

acting First Sergeant October 16 to November 5,. 

1898. 
Link, Charles, Belleville, 111.; mustered in as Quartermas-- 

ter Sergeant; relieved by Q. M. Serg't Barnikol,, 

March 2, 1899. 

CORPORALS. 

Koener, Kent K., Belleville, 111.; mustered in as Corporal; 

appointed Serg't September 22, 1898. On provost 

guard in August. 
Rhein, Walter L., Belleville, 111.; mustered in as Corporal;. 

on duty as Acting Serg't., October 15 to November 

16, 1898. 
Adam, Otto, Belleville, 111.; appointed Corporal July 8,, 

1898. 
Burk, Edmund, Belleville, 111.; appointed Corporal July 8,. 

1898. 

6 



'82 HISTORY OF THE 

Merz, Arthur G., Belleville, 111. ; appointed Corporal Sept. 

22, 1898. 

Koska, Robert, Belleville, 111. ; appointed Corporal Nov. 26, 

1898. 
Wilderman, Eugene, Belleville, 111. ; appointed Corporal 

Nov. 26, 1898. 

COOK. 

Shaefer, William R. , Belleville, 111. ; appointed Cook Aug. 
29, 1898; reduced to private at his own request, 
Nov. 26, 1898; promoted cook March 11, 1899. 

ARTIFICER. 

Seifert, William F., Belleville, 111.; appointed Artificer June 
1, 1898. 

MUSICIAN. ' 

McElhannon, Robert C, Nashville, 111.; appointed Musi- 
cian Aug. 2, 1898. 

WAGONER. 

"Wallace, William O., Lebanon, 111.; enlisted June 16, 1898; 
appointed wagoner, Sept. 2, 1898. 

PRIVATES. 

Brandmeier, Fred, Belleville, 111. ; on duty as colonel's or- 
derly June 4 to Sept. 8, 1898; on permanent detail 
at provost headquarters from Oct. 19 to Oct. 27, 
1898. 

Badgley, Calvin I., Belleville, 111. 

Bonville, William F., Belleville, 111. 

Besse, Robert W., Belleville, 111.; on duty as cook from 
May 21 to Aug. 29, 1898. 

Burk, William P., Belleville, 111. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 83 

Braun, John A., Jr., Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 16, 

1898. 
Carter, Charles, Jr., Freeburg, 111. 

Chenot, Benjamin L., Belleville, 111. ; on duty with regi- 
mental quartermaster, June 8 to June 12, 1898. 
Callihan, Ollie P. ; orderly at brigade headquarters Sept. 

16 to Oct. 18, 1898. 
Greener, Joseph, East St. Louis, 111. ; on duty as Armorer, 
with ordnance department repair shops, July 9, 1898, 
to April 11, 1899. 
Harris, M. Lesler, Belleville, 111. 
Hughes, James, Belleville, 111. 

Hoppe, William M., Belleville, 111.; orderly and clerk at 
brigade headquarters from Aug. 8, 1888, to Apr. 3, 
1899; on duty at regimental headquarters from 
Apr. 8, 1899. 
Homberg, William H., Belleville, 111.; on duty with Regi- 
mental Band from May 21 to June 26, 1898. 
Hubert, Charles, Belleville, 111. 

Harden, Elmer E. , Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 23, 1898. 

Hess, William G., Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 17, 1898. 

Herman, Theodore F., Belleville, 111. ; enlisted June 17, 

1898; on permanent detail at provost headquarters 

from Oct. 27 to Dec. 23, 1898. 

Klass, Fred, Belleville, 111.; appointed Cook Jan. 12, 1899; 

reduced to private at own request, Mch. 3, 1899; on 

provost guard in Augusta, Ga., from Apr. 16, 1899. 

Koerner, William K., Belleville, .111. 

Kohl, Jr., Julius J., Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 17, 1898. 
Krause, John W., Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 16, 1898; 

appointed Company Tailor Dec. 25, 1898. 
Lord, George W., East St. Louis, 111.; enlisted June 24, 

1898. 
McDougal, D. Grant. 



84 HISTORY OF THE 

Merker, Samuel A.. Belleville, 111. 

Miller, Philip, Belleville, 111.; on duty as Wagoner from 
Sept. 15 to Dec. 8. [898. 

Maurer, John, Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 16, 1898. 

Munie, Michael L. , Belleville, 111. 

Meder, Arthur J., Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 16, 1898. 

Preston, Lester C, Irving, Kans. 

Paul, Joseph A., Belleville, 111. 

Rhein, Walter, Belleville, 111. 

Renecke, Fred, Belleville, 111. 

Radersheimer, Henry E., Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 17, 
1S0S. 

Smith, Leon G.,< Belleville, 111. 

Smith, Robert M., Belleville, 111. 

Scahill, Edwin 1.. Belleville. 111. 

Sarlouis, John. 

Thomas, Charles E., Belleville, 111.; detailed as courier to 
General Lee July 4, 1S0S; and detached — mounted 
messenger; detached for duty at Seventh Army Corps 
April 3, 1800. Returned to company April 18, 
1800. 

Totsch, Charles N., Belleville, 111.; acting- corporal from 
Oct. 15 to Nov. 25, 180S. 

Tischbein, George, Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 25, 1 

Ward. William 11.. Belleville. 111. 

West. Benjamin J., Belleville. 111. 

Wunderle, Gustavos, Belleville, 111.; on duty at regimental 
stables June 5 to 11, 1898. 

Wolf. Walter 1.. Lebanon. 111. ; on provost guard in Au- 
gusta, Ga., from April 16 to April -, 1800. 

RESIGNATIONS. 

Rogers, Capt. Eddy P.. Belleville, 111. ; resignation accept- 
ed to date from July 1 5. l8< 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 85 

Abend, Edward, Jr., First Lieutenant, Belleville, 111.; res- 
ignation accepted to bear date of Nov. 9, 1898. 

DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 

Harman, J. Albert, Private, Belleville, 111., discharged 
Sept. 7, 1898. Honest and faithful service. Char- 
acter good. 

Waugelin, Louis E. , Corporal, Belleville, 111.; made Cor- 
poral July S, 1898. Discharged Oct. 13, 1898. 
Service honest and faithful. Character good. 

Wasmann, Edgar E., Private, Belleville, 111. ; enlisted June 

16, 1898. Discharged Nov. 7, 1898. Service hon- 
est and faithful. Character good. 

Schroeder, Elmer, Private, Belleville, 111. ; discharged Nov. 

17, 1898. Service honest and faithful. Character 
good. 

Schroeder, Adolph G., Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged 
Dec. 2, 1898. Service honest and faithful. Character 
good. 

DISCHARGED FY ORDER TO ACCEFT COMMISSION. 

Hilgard, Milosh R., First Sergeant, Belleville, 111.; dis- 
charged Aug. 4, 1898, to accept second lieutenan- 
cy of same company. 

Andel, William C. , Corporal, Belleville, 111.; discharged 
Nov. 22, 1898, to accept commission as second 
lieutenant of same company. 

DISCHARGED BY ORDER. 

Niemyer, Arthur, Corporal, Belleville, III. ; discharged Sept. 
15, 1S98. 

Ropiequet, Richard W., Sergeant, Belleville, 111.; mustered 
in as private, on regimental recruiting service, from 
June 11, to 29, 189S. Clerk of regimental com- 



86 HISTORY OF THE 

mander July 9 to Sept. 18, 1898. Made Sergeant 
Aug. 5, 1898. Discharged per telegram Sept. 17, 
1898. 

Betz, Charles W., Sergeant, Belleville, 111. ; discharged per 
telegram Oct. 11, 1898. 

Bartel, Fred J., Private, Belleville, 111. ; discharged per tele- 
gram Oct. 29, 1898. 

McConaughy, Malcom M., Corporal, Belleville, 111.; made 
corporal July 8, 1898. Acting sergeant Oct. 15 to 
30, 1898. Discharged Oct. 30, 1898, per telegram. 

Wise, Walter A., Corporal, Belleville, 111. On duty with 
regimental band from June 17, 1898. Reduced to 
ranks July 6, 1898; restored a corporal, Aug. 5, 
1898; discharged by telegram Oct. 30, 1898. 

Bonean, William C, Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged 
by telegram Oct. 30, 1898. 

Hay, Eugene J., Private, Belleville, 111; discharged by tele- 
gram Oct. 30, 1898. 

Hilgard, Richard W. , Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged 
per telegram Oct. 30, 1898. 

Miller, Fred G., Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged per 
telegram Oct. 30, 1898. 

Englemann, Otto B., Private, Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 
16, 1898; discharged per telegram Nov. 9, 1898. 

Feucht, Otto H., Private, Belleville, 111.; on duty as corp- 
oral Oct. 15 to Nov. 19, 1898; discharged per tele- 
gram Nov. 17, 1898. 

Needles, Homer, Private, Belleville, 111. ; acting Corporal 
Oct. 15 to Nov. 17, 1898; discharged per telegram 
Dec. 14, 1898. 

Schnittker, William T. , Musician, Belleville, 111. ; detailed 
as Musician June 6, 1898, and appointed Musician 
Aug. 2, 1898; discharged per telegram Dec. 15, 
1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. %7 

Poirot, Edwin J., Private, Belleville, 111. ; enlisted June 17, 

1898; discharged per telegram Jan. 2, 1899. 
McCullough, Robert J., Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged 

per telegram Jan. 2, 1899. 
Barnett, Henry J., Private, Winamac, Ind. ; discharged at 

U. S. General Hospital at Ft. Myers, Va., June 17, 

1898. 
Andel, George K., Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged Jan. 

17, 1899. f . J 

McCullough, Ralph E., Private, Belleville, 111.; enlisted 

June 23, 1898; discharged Jan. 17, 1899. 
Wooters, Major, Sergeant, Belleville, 111.; discharged Jan, 

21, 1899. 
Hoerr, Adolph J., Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged Jan. 

21, 1899. 

Strauss, Carl, Corporal, Belleville, 111.; acting Corporal 
from Oct. 15 to Nov. 25, 1898; promoted Corporal 
Nov. 26, 1898; discharged Feb. 11, 1899. 

Erwen, Peter, Private, Belleville, 111.; on duty at regi- 
mental stables July 24 to Sept. 27, 1898; orderly to 
regimental commander Sept. 8, 1898, to February 

13, 1899; discharged Feb. 13, 1899. 

Hill, William B., Private, Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 16, 

1898; discharged Feb. 13, i899- 
Ward, Edgar A., Private, Belleville, 111., discharged Feb. 

14, 1899. 

Baker, George E., Private, Belleville, 111., discharged Feb. 

16, 1899. 
Mills, William N., Private, Lebanon, 111. ; enlisted June 16, 

1898; discharged March 8, 1899- 
Lind, William C, Private, Belleville, 111. ; discharged March 

22, 1899. 
Rogers, Robert D., Private, Belleville, 111.; discharged 

March 17, 1899. 



SB HISTORY OF THE 



TRANSFERS. 

Dickerson, Edward W., Private, on duty at regimental 
hospital from May 24 to June 9, 1898; transferred to 
Hospital Corps, U. S. Army, June 10, 1898. 

Goelitz, Hugo G., Corporal, Belleville, 111.; appointed 
corporal July 8, 1898; on duty at regimental head- 
quarters as clerk July 7 to 27, 1898; clerk at divis- 
ion headquarters July 27 to August 9, 1898; clerk at 
regimental headquarters Aug. 10 to Nov. 22, 1898; 
transferred to Hospital Corps, U. S. Army, Nov. 
30, 1898. 

Merck, Fred, Corporal, Belleville, 111. ; on duty at regimental 
bakery July 27 to September 26, 1898; transferred 
as first-class private to U. S. Volunteer Signal 
Corps, December 14,^1898. 

DIED OF DISEASE. 

Metzger, Fred P., Private, Belleville, 111.; enlisted June 23, 
1898; died Sept. 19, 1898, at Belleville, 111. 

Archibald, George, Jr., Private, Belleville, 111.; enlisted 
June 16, 1898; died Oct 13, 1898, at Third Di- 
vision Hospital, Seventh Army Corps. 

Wise, Otto J., Private, Belleville, 111.; died Nov. 3, 1898, 
at Belleville, 111. 



COMPANY C. 



Company C organized at Carbondale, Illinois. On the 
night of April 24, 1898, Captain Barton received orders to 
report with his command to Col. James Washburn at the 
fair grounds in Springfield, April 26, 1898. Was mustered 




CAPT. E. E. BARTON. 



into the United States volunteer service by Captain Roberts 
May 19, 1898. On the 26th of May the command left 
Springfield under orders to report to General Shafter at 
Tampa, Florida, but at Albany, Georgia, orders were changed 



90 HISTORY OF THE 

to Jacksonville, Florida, arriving there May 29, 1898, about 
2 o'clock A. M. 

At day break the order was given to fall in, or rather 
fall out of the cars and then fall in. On this trip Company 
C had two sleepers, which made it very pleasant. After 
eating a light breakfast of canned beef, hard tack and coffee, 
Company C, along with the regiment, was marched around 
through the sand drain up into regimental front in the woods, 
and here rested until about 2 o'clock P. M., when camp was 
pitched. August 10, 1898, the command marched to Pan- 
ama Park, about three miles north of the first camp. Pre- 
vious to this move the company had been recruited up to one 
hundred and three enlisted men. Panama Park was where 
the regiment had so much sickness. In Company C, with 
a strength of one hundred and five men, at one time there 
were only six privates, two corporals and the captain for 
duty, the rest either being sick in hospital quarters or on a 
furlough. 

* Matters kept growing worse until September 25, 1898, 
when General Lee issued orders for the regiment to proceed 
to the city of Jacksonville for provost guard duty, and Com- 
pany C was assigned to station No. 2 at General Lee's 
headquarters. On October 24 the company moved to 
Savannah, Georgia, and was assigned to station No. 2, Irish 
Park. Moved from provost station about two miles into 
the country on November 28, to Camp Onward, Georgia. 
Received orders January 2, 1899, to proceed to Havana, 
Cuba. Broke up camp the morning of January 3, and 
marched through the streets of Savannah to the wharf and 
embarked on the transport "Mobile" for Cuba. Arrived 
in Havana harbor January 5, disembarked and marched 
through Havana out to Camp Columbia January 7, a dis- 
tance of about five miles. Left Camp Columbia Febru- 
ary 16 for practice march to Guines, Cuba; arrived Febru- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 9 I 

ary 21. Passed in review before General Gomez Febru- 
ary 23. Started on return trip to camp February 24, 
arriving in camp February 27. Left Camp Columbia for 
Havana April 4; embarked on transport "Yarmouth " for 
Egmont Key April 4, arrived April 5, disembarked and 
went into quarantine at United States detention camp April 
6. Embarked on steamer for Port Tampa April 10, arriv- 
ing same date; thence by rail to Augusta, Georgia, arriving 
April n. Mustered out of service May 2, 1899, at Augusta, 
Georgia. 

On the evening of March 16, 1899, Colonel Swift or- 
dered Captain Barton to report to him with the company. 
The colonel then presented him a handsome sword, the 
gift of the company, with a few words to the captain. 
Among other things the colonel said: "The position of 
captain is the hardest in the army to fill and still hold the 
respect and admiration of his men and his colonel. I am 
pleased to present this sword to a man who has success- 
fully filled that office." 



COMPANY C ROSTER. 

E. E. Barton, Captain, Carbondale, 111. 

Thomas F. Loudon, First Lieutenant, Carbondale, 111. 

Horace F. Teeter, Second Lieutenant, Carbondale, 111. 

SERGEANTS. 

Oliver P. Robinson, First Sergeant; enrolled as private, 
mustered in as Corporal, appointed Sergeant Oct. 1, 
1898; appointed First Sergeant Dec. 26. 

William E. Davis, Quartermaster Sergeant, Marion, 111. ; 
mustered in as Corporal, appointed Quartermaster 
Sergeant Feb. 11, 1899. 



I m< Mai - n Cairo, 1 

■ 

-;. 1899 

H ' e, ill 

! ••/ '• 
Dixo ' 

Loti< Oliver P,, Carbo 

I . . , 
Hor< '■ ' 

J'-', I '• ' 

:■..- fohfl ' 
(898 

Hunter, Floy* 

. . 

99 
Byron [oaeph E G 

; 

; 

i 1 ( l 

7. '899 



94 HISTORY OF THE 

Parrish, John, Makanda, 111. ; appointed Corporal April 7, 
1899- 

MUSICIAN. 

Conner, Benjamin, Carbondale, 111. 

ARTIFICER. 

Doolin, John A., Carbondale, 111.; appointed Artificer 
Sept. 2, 1898. 

PRIVATES. 

Anderson, Charles E., Carterville, 111. 

Baker, Marcus, Cottage Home, 111. 

Baker, Fred G.. Meade, 111. 

Bricker, George, Carbondale, 111. 

Bailey, Thomas C. , Makanda, III. 

Boyce, Donald, Murphysboro, 111. 

Barringer, Joseph X., Fredonia, 111. 

Cline, Harry X., Marion, 111. 

Childers, William, Carbondale, 111. 

Cole, Warren A., East St. Louis, 111. 

Cowan, Charles A., Carbondale, 111. 

Crowell, Frank, Carbondale, 111. 

Crowell, Joseph, Carbondale, 111. 

Cunningham, Ross H., Marion, 111. 

Dixon, Harry E., Carbondale, 111. 

Davis, Daniel W. , Marion, 111. 

Dickson, Edward, Carbondale, 111. 

Daily, John H., Pinckneyville, 111. 

Deck, William A., Makanda, 111. 

Dever, Charles L. , Metropolis, 111. 

Etherton, Loren E., Makanda, 111. 

Elliott, Frank, Carbondale, 111. 

French, William, Pinckneyville, 111. This man holds the 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 95 

record of the company, never having been on the 
sick list. 
Gher, Thomas F., Makanda, 111. 
Guill, Robert C, McLeansboro, 111. 
Gallaway, Charles, Norris City, 111. 
Hayden, Kenneth, Carbondale, 111. 
Hendrickson, Willis, Sparta, 111. 
Hinchcliff, Samuel V., Carbondale, 111. 
Hinchcliff, Ernest A., Carbondale, 111. 
Holiday, Walter C, Murphysboro, 111. 
Hartwell, Charles K., New Dennison, 111. 
Hawkins, Dwight J., Carbondale, 111. 
Henley, George W., Makanda, 111. 

Jeter, Robert H., Marion, 111. % 

Jones, Frank I., Pinckneyville, 111. 
K»ys, John E.. Thompsonville, 111. 
Kirkpatrick, Carl, Virden, 111. 
Knight, James S., Thompsonville, 111. 
Knight, William, Marion, 111. 
King, Harry A., Eddyville, 111. 
Montgomery, Augustin B., Du Quoin, 111. 
McMillan, John F., Carterville, 111. 
Nolan, James F., San Francisco, Cal. 
North, Lee Roy, Cottage Home, 111. 
Nauman, Fred L., Carbondale, 111. 
Otis, John, Jersey City, N. J. 
Ogden, John, Carbondale, 111. 
Pursell, Perry P., Pinckneyville, 111. 
Rodman, Harry C. , Du Quoin, 111. 
Smith, Edward H., Carbondale, 111. 
Strauch, Ernest A., Pinckneyville, 111. 
Stanley, Rupert A., Makanda, 111. 
Sands, John A., Masters, 111. 
Sanders, David R., Progress, 111. 



96 HISTORY OF THE 

Sowers, John W., Murphysboro, 111. 
Thompson, William, Carbondale, 111. 
Taylor, Charles R., Carbondale, 111. 
Turman, Alfred, Carbondale, 111. 
Toler, William I., Carbondale, 111. 
Tinsley, Sod, Pinckneyville, 111. 
Waters, Thomas B., Marion, 111. 

DISCHARGED. 

William W. Biggs, Carbondale, Aug. 22, 1898. 
Thomas M. Otrich, Anna, Sept. 4, 1898. 
Louis H. Kaha, Cairo, Oct. 15, 1898. 
Charles R. Stuart, Cairo, Oct. 30, 1898. 
Edward E. Miller, Makanda, Dec. 25, 1898. 
Chas. D. M. Renfro, Carbondale, Dec. 19, 1898. 
Frederick L. Jones, Murphysboro, Jan. 1, 1899. 
Homer E. Mills, Makanda, Jan. 1, 1899. 
James M. Scurlock, Jr., Carbondale, Jan. 26, 1899. 
Charles R. Slade, Woodlawn, Feb. 3, 1899. 
John B. Bristol, Cairo, Feb. 4, 1899. 
James W. Stephens, Marion, Feb. 6, 1899. 
Elbert L. Damron, Progress, Feb. 6, 1899. 
William L. Ellis, Murphysboro, Feb. 13, 1899. 
Ephraim Hagler, Makanda, Feb. 13, 1899. 
Elliott L. Morton, Paris, Feb. 18, 1899. 

TRANSFERRED. 

Carl Baker, Mead, hospital corps, June 10, 1898. 
Percy C. Linck, Robinson, hospital corps, June 10, 1898, 
Harry L. Stites, Cairo, hospital corps, June 10, 1898. 
Horace Sorrels, Hope, Kansas, signal corps, December 3, 

1898. 
Stanley R. Sharts, Marion, engineer corps, December 25, 

1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



THE HOME RECEPTION. 
As was anticipated by the friends of Company C, the 
home eorning was not in compact form-some of the men 
residing at Cairo, some at Makanda and other points- 
therefore the date of reception was fixed for Tuesday even- 
ing. May 9- Ample preparations were made by the cifzens 
of Carbondale. As is usual in this city, the general pub- 
lic received the committees with open hearts and hands. 
The proprietors of the opera house generously tendered the 
free use of that comfortable and commodious budding. 
The new proprietor of the Newell House threw open wide 
the doors from basement to attic without a cent of charge.. 
The electric railway gratuitously furnished all des.red fights. 
Of provisions of every character there was enough and to. 
spare, all contributed by our generous people. 

The entertainment at the opera house was a grand, 
success. The program was elaborate and well rendered. 
Capt S Walker presided. The short address introducing 
the soldiers to the public did credit to the old veteran It 
was a burst of eloquence and pathos that will be long 
remembered by those present. Judge Barr, in his address 
of welcome, added to his reputation as an orator^ The 
only fault was that he did not occupy more time He paid 
eloquent tribute to the returned soldiers, landed the men in 
the field and fully endorsed the acts of President Mckmley 
in his conduct of the war. The songs, recitations, etc.. 
were of a high order. Grear's Concert Band, of Murphys- 
boro certainly the best musical organization ,n southern 
Illinois, gave the finishing touches to the occasion and gave 
the public a grand specimen of the talent our s.ster c.y has 
gathered together and of which she is justly proud And 
here we desire to say that this fine band contributed finan- 
cially to the reception by making a charge for services but 



98 HISTORY OF THE 

little in excess of expenses incurred in transit between the 
two cities. 

At the banquet plates were laid for one hundred. 
Eighty soldiers sat down and were amply supplied with the 
very best the good ladies of our city could prepare for 
them. The mothers, sisters and cousins waited on the 
tables. And the boys enjoyed it all. When the soldiers 
had finished, then the relatives and friends again and again 
filled the tables until not less than three hundred had par- 
ticipated. 

A social reunion and dance closed the festivities. All 
who so desired participated. Not until dawn announced 
that the night had passed did the merry, happy girls and 
boys cease their enjoyment. It was a joyous occasion and 
a full tide of happiness had sway throughout. 

May we not suggest to the boys of Company C that 
they form an organization and hold annual reunions? Our 
people would be glad to meet them at least once a year 
and entertain them as they deserve. 



EDWARD J. LANG. 

Maj. Edward J. Lang, born at Paris, Illinois, April 10, 
1867, graduated Paris High school, 1885, thoroughly mas- 
tered the trade of carpentry and joiner and was foreman 
for a number of leading contractors in Paris, and other 
cities, and followed the business of contractor and builder 
up to July, 1897. Was appointed instructor of woodwork- 
ing in Illinois Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and con- 
tinued in this occupation until call of the President for vol- 
unteers. Joined Company H, Fourth Regiment, Illinois 
National Guard, April 20, 1887, appointed corporal and 
sergeant. Elected second lieutenant and first lieutenant. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



99 



Became captain of company September 3, 1890. Elected 
major Fourth Regiment, Illinois National Guard, May 10, 
1893, and re-elected May 10, 1897. Answered call for 
volunteers April 26, and was commissioned major of Fourth 
Illinois Infantry by Governor Tanner May 20, 1897. 
Served with regiment at Camp Tanner; Springfield, Illinois; 
Jacksonville, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; and Havana, 




'/ 




MAJOR E. J. LANG. 

Cuba, and mustered out with regiment at Augusta, Georgia, 
May 2, 1899. Served with regiment at Cairo, Illinois, in 
railroad strike of 1894. Was in command of five compa- 
nies of Fourth Illinois National Guard at railroad strike in 
Chicago for eleven days, 1894. 

The Second Battalion, Fourth Regiment Infantry, Illi- 
nois Volunteers, formerly Second Battalion, Fourth Regi- 



100 HISTORY OF THE 

ment, Illinois National Guard, was mustered into the United 
States Volunteer Army on the 20th day of May, 1898. The 
battalion, as mustered in then, was practically the same 
as in the National Guard, although there was a slight addi- 
tion to the personnel of the enlisted men, but the officers 
were the same as in the Illinois National Guard. Before 
leaving Camp Tanner, Springfield, Illinois, for the place of 
rendezvous, the regiment was recruited to the minimum 
fighting strength, or eighty-one enlisted men and three 
officers. But later, on June 10, 1898, orders were received 
from the War Department to recruit up to the maximum 
fighting strength of one hundred and six men and three 
officers. This was done under the supervision of Capt. 
H. S. Parker and a detail of one man from each company, 
with headquarters at Effingham, Illinois. By June 27, 
1898, the battalion numbered one hundred and six men to 
each company. 

The composition of the battalion at the time of muster 
in was as follows: 

Major — Edward J. Lang, commanding. 
Adjutant — First Lieutenant H. J. White. 
Sergeant-Major — Sergeant Harry E. Shutt. 
Quartermaster-Sergeant — Sergeant Lew Myers. 
Trumpeter-Sergeant — Sergeant Coma Fragden. 

The companies were officered in the following order: 

Company G. 

Captain — C. E. Ryman. 
First Lieutenant — John Burr. 
Second Lieutenant — John Wright. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I01 



Company I. 



Captain— Samuel S. Houston. 
First Lieutenant— E. P. Clayton. 
Second Lieutenant— P. P. Stout. 

Company K. 

Captain— David Davis, Jr. 

First Lieutenant— George L. Zink, Jr. 

Second Lieutenant— William F. LaForce. 

Company B. 

Captain— E. W. Hersh. . 
First Lieutenant— W. A. Howell. 
Second Lieutenant— Lyman Harris. 

According to the United States organization, the bat- 
talion sergeant-major, quartermaster-sergeant and trum- 
peter-sergeant are simply details instead of extra sergeants, 
and accordingly these three "non-coms" joined a com- 
pany. Sergeant Shutt was subsequently detailed as ser- 
geant-major and acted as such up to the time of his pro- 
motion. 

There were several changes among the officers, and are 

as follow: 

On February i, 1899, Capt. David Davis, Jr., resigned, 
leaving a vacancy in the captaincy of Company K. Second 
Lieutenant LaForce also resigned, leaving a vacancy there. 
First Lieut. George L. Zink was made captain. Sergeant 
Seamen was made first lieutenant and Sergeant Rose 
second lieutenant. Sergeant-Major Shutt, on November 
1, 1898, was made second lieutenant of Company H, this 
leaving a vacancy as sergeant-major. Sergt. F. S. Barker, 



102 HISTORY OF THE 

of Company B, was made sergeant-major to fill this 
vacancy. 

Another change made in the personnel of the officers 
was when Captain E. W. Hersh of Company B resigned, 
on February 18. First Lieutenant W. A. Howell was 
commissioned as captain, Second Lieutenant Lyman Har- 
ris as first lieutenant and sergeant, Major F. S. Barker as 
second lieutenant. This left another vacancy as sergeant- 
major and Sergeant Charles Clark of Company I was ap- 
pointed to fill this vacancy. On February i, Lieutenant 
H. J. White, battalion adjutant, resigned, and his position 
was filled by a detail of one of the line lieutenants as act- 
ing adjutant. 

The Second Battalion has always made a fine record 
for itself in drill and military bearing. Its drill at the 
time of muster into the United States service was chiefly in 
battle formation, and by extraordinary hard work prepared 
itself to meet the enemy, but it never had the opportunity 
as the protocol was signed while the Fourth Regiment was 
still on the soil of the United States. But the protocol 
did not stop the hard work, the regiment kept persis- 
tently and gained a degree of proficiency in drills and 
reviews not surpassed by any other in volunteer service, 
and when it appeared before our President and that gallant 
old man, General Wheeler, brought forth the remark by the 
President, — " That is the best volunteer regiment I have 
ever seen." The battalion has served with the regiment 
throughout the service, being in Camp Tanner, Springfield; 
Camp Cuba Libre, Jacksonville, Florida; Camp Panama 
Park, Panama Park, Florida; Camp Onward, Savannah, 
Georgia, and Camp Columbia, Cuba. The battalion move- 
ments up to the time of leaving Cuba for the United States 
have been identical with those of the regiment. 

In the morning of April 4, 1899, at 10 A. M., the two 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



103 



battalions received orders to embark on the steamship 
Yarmouth for transportation to the United States. 

Soon after "the general" was sounded and tents 
were struck, and in less than an hour the battalion was 
ready for the hot wearisome march from Camp Columbia 
to the San Jose wharf in Havana, a distance of about five 
and one-half miles. This distance was covered by 4:00 
P. M., and soon after the wagon train began arriving with 



m 



Wf^-y 



.1 ,LJ, 



^^Aft^fcM4**« MiJMMidillfe ' i^ttW 



TRANSPORT YARMOUTH. 

camp equipage and baggage, and it was then loaded on the 
transport. As the loading was not completed by 5:00 
o'clock, the ship steamed out in the ocean and anchored off 
Morro Castle and the rest of the baggage was brought out 
on a lighter and put on board our ship. This work was 
finished by 8:00 P. M., and the ship immediatelv weighed 
anchor and started for Egmont Key quarantine station. 



104 



HISTORY OF THE 



Soon after the lighter parted company with us, an in- 
cident occurred that, for the time, caused some little flurry 
of excitement. The bedding in one of the forward state 
rooms took fire, and the captain at once deciding to take no 
chances, ordered the boat turned to the shore. But the 
discipline of the crew and the self control of the soldiers 
having knowledge of it, prevailed, and it was soon extin- 
guished, having done but little damage. Yarmouth at 
once turned her prow to the north, proudly riding the gentle 
billows. 

As seems common in the case of soldiers, sea-sickness 




SEASICK. 

began-to-manifest itself, but it was reserved for the follow- 
ing day to see just how it could get in its work to the dis- 
comfort of about two-thirds of our men. many of whom be- 
came very impolite ard spit (?) on the floor, while some 
who tried to act in well bred style made the most miserable 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I0 5 



botch of it. The fellow that never experiences t don 
know how good one feels after he recovers from this 
" eaded affliction, and can poke fun at the other el low who 
has not yet got beyond the period when he — to ,* 
have the boat sink, or is willing to d.e.-]ust "any old 
thing" other than that which drafts so heavily on hrs a ten- 
ion and his stomach also, at times. After a ride contmu- 
ng ess than twenty-four hours we found ourselves v.ewng 
he setting sun off Millet Key, the island on wh^h the 
Florida state quarantine is located, twenty-five mdes out 
the bay from Port Tampa, when the boat's captain reported 
and the ship was moved off a short distance and anchor* 
,o await the dawning of another day, while many of us 
sought our resting place on the deck and wrapped our blank- 
ets about us only to realize we were in a climate s eve a 
degrees colder than where we spent the mght before, for 
north wind seemed to be coming off an iceberg or some 

oth ^o f :tr;h p e la d n L * ^ °* «- -* *. -* 

riser could see a ship approaching from the south, which 
on reaching our port side we discovered was crowded with 
bluecoats, who later proved to be our comrades on the 
sleepy Whitney, which had left Havana harbor some three 
hours in advance of us. 

After considerable -red tape" delay and a busy day 
of unloading the freight of our vessels, during wh.ch time 
a severe storm had arisen, making the bay quite rough, 
we were taken off by a tug and landed on Egmont Key, 
which is certainly a well-chosen point for a ^rantine, 
,- , if the desire to keep those quartered there from enter- 
ing'the state, for its dreariness would produce almost any 
disease desired. Here Companies D and B found quarters 
intents ready awaiting ■•folk of their ilk," while the est 
of us pitched the tents we brought with us from Cuba. 



io6 



HISTORY OF THE 



The scenes without our canvas cottages, viewed by the 
light of oil lamps placed at intervals throughout the camp, 
and the growling, hissing wind from off the sea that flapped 
our tents, growing colder and colder, was about as cheer- 
less as any picture we had looked upon in our soldier life. 
True, the white sand of which the island is composed 
reminded us, though faintly, of the snow-clad earth of our 




BEFORE AND AFTER FUMIGATION. 



own state. Yet it lacked the cheer attending the fall and 
glitter of those beautiful crystals of our "far off north- 
land." 

But, as if to add to our grief and chagrin, on the fol- 
lowing morning we found ourselves wet from the rain that 
sifted through our tents during the night, while the surgeon 
in charge forbid our going to the beach, not one hundred 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 10 7 

yards distant, with all our longing to gather shells All 
this seemed not only arbitrarily inconsistent to ns, bnt no 
less displeasing. Still more, at roll-call onr sergeants read 
an order from onr commander forbidding any man, under 
penalty of ten days' extra quarantine, to leave the grounds 
enclosed by the double barbed-wire fence, strong and high. 
We didn't kick to the colonel about it, knowing he was 
only conforming to quarantine regulations, yet ,t seemed 
they feared we would inocculate the sand on the seashore, 
or the worthless growths on this more worthless little hump 
in the sea. Here, also, we went through all the horrors of 
fumigation during the three long, wearisome days of onr 
stay on Egmont Key. The anxiety to part company with 
this inhospitable sand bank was not less than that which was 
felt in reference to getting away from the more lovely land 
of Cuba But the work of the disinfecting of our stuff was 
completed, and the evening of the 9 th settled upon us to 
find all our baggage on board the little Margaret that was 
to steam ns up the bay to Port Tampa, while all in camp 
sank into the usual quiet under a clear sky. 

Monday morning witnessed the unusual activity that 
ordinarily attends the moving of a camp; but the labor was 
much reduced on this occasion, since we were not to move 

our tentage. 

At an early hour the last of our movables was put on 
board and we' soon followed. When the little ship on 
which we were so closely packed as to find httle more than 
standing room, loosed her lines and started for our next 
transfer point, where we landed about , . A. M„ and by 4 
P M we were moving out of Port Tampa on the third 
section of a train booked for Savannah, Georgia. But the 
unexpected and undesired again occurred, for the next day, 
when almost in sight of our desired destination, we were 
run out another road and brought to Augusta, Georgia, 



108 HISTORY OF THE 

where we found in Camp McKensie well-fitted quarters 
awaiting us, where we began, as a regiment, the last of our 
camp housekeeping experience, which culminated with our 
being mustered out of the United States service, with the 
remainder of our regiment, on the 2d of May, 1899, and 
the same day started for our respective homes. 



COMPANY G ROSTER. 

The following we copy from a roster published soon 
after the company entered the United States service: 

Claud E. Ryman, Captain, Effingham, 111. 
John Burr, First Lieutenant, Effingham, 111. 
John R. Wright, Second Lieutenant, Effingham, 111. 
John C. Hutchings, First Sergeant, Effingham, 111. 
Joseph H. Hickman, Quartermaster Sergeant, Effing- 
ham, 111. 

SERGEANTS. 

Roy E. Seltz, Effingham, 111. 
Frank E. Worthington, Effingham, 111. 
George H. Harvey, Effingham, 111. 
French E. McElroy, Effingham, 111. 

CORPORALS. 

Isaac N. Cook, Effingham, 111. 
Clyde E. Pfeifer, Effingham, 111. 
Charles F. Thomas, Effingham, 111. 
Arthur L. Abraham, Watson, 111. 
William J. Cook, Patoka, 111. 
John H. Dial, Altamont, 111. 
Haden Shouse, Effingham, 111. 
Charles F. Gravenhoust, Effingham, 111. 



I 10 HISTORY OF THE 

James W. Davis, Fredricksburg, Ind. 
Abbie B. Switzer, Farina, 111. 
Edward C. Donaldson, Edgewood, 111. 

MUSICIANS. 

William N. Schneider, Effingham, 111. 
Schuyler R. Parrill, Farina, 111. 

ARTIFICER. 

Samuel N. Mefford, Knoxville, Tenn. 

WAGONER. 

Freeman Shouse, Effingham, 111. 

PRIVATES. 

Alexander, Stephen T., Effingham, 111. 
Anderson, William D., Effingham, 111. 
Austin, Calvin P., Effingham, 111. 
Baughman, Charles A., Effingham, 111. 
Ballenger, Reuben, Effingham, 111. 
Barnes, Rodney, Effingham, 111. 
Bascom, Francis M. , Farina, 111. 
Bourland, Alexander B., Effingham, 111. 
Brooks, Charles, Effingham, 111. 
Carman, William H., Effingham, 111. 
Case, Harry R., Farina, 111. 
Claypool, Fred A., Edgewood, 111. 
Cook, John R., Patoka, 111. 
Cronk, John A., Watson, 111. 
Cronk, James A., Watson, 111. 
Currie, Arthur, Brubaker, 111. 
Crist, Charles E., Alma, 111. 
Caldwell, Bert W., Effingham, 111. 
Denind, David U., Effingham, 111. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. Ill 



Doobs, Charles, Louisville, 111. 
Dial, Silas M., Altamont, 111. 
Dunlap, Thomas G., Shumvvay, 111. 
Edwards, John A*. L. , Edgewood, 111. 
Ervin, Verna, Louisville, 111. 
Edmunds, George, Alma, 111. 
Ensign, Otis L., Altamont, 111. 
Faucher, Charles B., Altamont, 111. 
Gehl, Nicholas A., Casey, 111. 
Gosslee, Paul, Effingham, 111. 
Gossett, Jess A., Casey, 111. 
Gossett, Robert A., Casey, 111. 
Hall, William, Watson, 111. 
Harris, George W., Effiingham, 111. 
Harvey, George E., Effingham, 111. 
Hall, William, Watson, 111. 
Harris, George W. , Effingham, 111. 
Harvey, George E., Effingham, 111. 
Hill, Homer H., Mason, 111. 
Hilton, James M., Montrose, 111. 
Hunter, Walter E., Effingham, 111. 
Hutchings, Joseph A., Effingham, 111. 
Hastings, Joseph, Effingham, 111. 
Hanawalt, John O. , Effingham, 111. 
Headier, Alfred R., Alma, 111. 
Headlee, Myron C. , Alma, 111. 
Ingram, Isaac D., Brubaker, 111. 
Koester, George, Effingham, 111. 
Loy, Elam S., Watson, 111. 
Liechty, John, Effingham, 111. 
Mason, Arthur L., Watson, 111. 
McNeil, Samuel H. H., Alma, 111. 
McNeil, John R., Alma, 111. 
Needham, William G., Montrose, 111. 



1 I2 HISTORY OF THE 

Needham, Oscar, Montrose, 111. 

Newbanks, Wade F., Effingham, 111. 

O'Connell, Daniel J., Effingham, 111. 

Overbeck, Frank B., Effingham, 111. 

Padgett, George E., Effingham, 111. 

Pifer, Theodore E., Altamont, 111. 

Hoe, Alfred L., Effingham, 111. 

Poor, William W., Effingham, 111. 

Record, Walter H., Watson, 111. 

Ross, Andrew I., Alma, 111. 
Roberts, Lewis H., Effingham, 111. 
Robertson, George C, Effingham, 111. 
Richardson, Richard, Louisville, 111. 
Richardson, Thomas, Louisville, 111. 
Sale, Junius A., Effingham, 111. 
Scott, Lennie R., Montrose, 111. 
Shenefield, Martin, Altamont, 111. 
Schilling, Charles M., Altamont, 111. 
Smith, John M., Effingham, 111. 
Smith, Irwin W., Farina, 111. 
Sprinkle, William J., Watson, 111. 
Starner, Clarence G., Effingham, 111. 
Shreffler, Arthur, Alma, 111. 
Thompson, Arthur, Shumway, 111. 
Titzell, Harry E., Farina, 111. 
Upton, Daniel N., Effingham, 111. 
Vaughn, William T. 
Walker, John H., Altamont, 111. 
Wallace, Byron, Effingham, 111. 
Welker, John F. , Avena, 111. 
Williams, Otho S., Effingham, 111. 
Williams, Kirk A., Alma, 111. 
Wood, William I., Watson, 111. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I I 3 



E. P. CLAYTON. 



Lieutenant E. P. Clayton was born in Farina, Illinois, 
December 29, 1867, moved with his parents to Vandalia 
in 1871, where he still resides. In 1886, he joined the 
Illinois National Guard, casting his lot in with Company I,. 
of his adopted city, and in 1890, was appointed corporal. 
In 1892, he was elected first lieutenant of the company, 
which rank he held until in 1893, when he resigned, and 
gave himself up entirely to civilian life for about one year. 
But his military spirit was only dormant, for when in 1894, 
the great railroad strike at Mounds, Illinois, gave occasion 
for the Governor to call out the Illinois National Guard, 
he revolunteered and was appointed first sergeant, which 
position he filled until July 17, 1897, when he was by the 
vote of his comrades again called to the position of first 
lieutenant. 

On the breaking out of war between our nation and' 
that of Spain, he, with Company I, promptly reported for 
duty at the capitol of our state, on April 26, 1898, and 1 
with it was mustered into the United States Volunteer 
service, on the 20th day of May following. Was appointed! 
ordnance officer, on the 17th of August, and also filled the 
position of regimental adjutant most of the time until 
December 21, when he was relieved from duty in both po- 
sitions, to allow of his complying with special order No. 
175 Head Quarters first division seventh army corps by 
which he was appointed provost marshal of first division 
seventh army corps, which position he filled until relieved; 
by special order No. 72 Head Quarters seventh army 
corps dated at Havana, Cuba, April 3, 1899, that he might 
return to his regiment in view of its leaving for the States 
on that date. 

On arriving at Augusta, Georgia, he was placed in 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

charge of a detail of sixty men to do provost guard duty 
in that city, in which capacity he served until mustered 
out on the 2d of May, 1899. 

Lieutenant Clayton seems to have felt the importance 
of that truth so tersely stated in Holy Writ, viz: " It is not 
good that man should live alone." Hence he accordingly 
took to himself a helpmate in the person of Miss Anna 
Gerche on October 8, 1893, and is now the happy parent 
of a daughter born to them June 6, 1895. 



COMPANY 



Company "I" was mustered into service in June, 1 884. 
Their first captain being Jerome G. Wills with H. J. Gouch- 
neour and Benjamin Martin as lieutenants. Captain Wills 
served one year and was succeeded by Capt. J. B. Wash- 
burn August 15, 1885, who remained with the company 
until April 12, 1887, when he resigned, and remained 
out of the company until February, 1888, when he was 
again elected captain and remained as their commander 
until elected lieutenant-colonel in 1892. Capt. George 
Andrews was then elected as captain and resigned in May, 
1884, when Capt. S. S. Houston was elected and served up 
to the present time, and through the Spanish war. Company 
" I " did duty in almost every railroad and coal miner strike 
since 1 884. Were at East St. Louis, Chicago, Cairo, Cen- 
tralia and several coal mine strikes in the southern part of 
the state. 

The days immediately preceding the 26th of April, 1898, 
while our nation was waiting in breathless suspense for the 
war drums, alarm, were hours of anxiety for the mothers, 
fathers, brothers and sisters and friends of the members of 
Company I, and of doubt, debate and excited enthusiasm 
among the boys. Hour after hour the ears were strained 
to catch the peals of the fire bell, and night after night was 
passed in restless slumber. When at last the tocsin 
sounded, the boys responded in eager hurry and enthusiasm. 
Amid scenes of intense excitement they gathered at the 
Armory, and with nervous, trembling hands, prepared their 
accoutrements, in readiness for instant departure. Mean- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I J 7 

time the news had gone through the surrounding country 
and towns. Like the Revolutionary fathers of old, the 
people forsook the plow in the furrow and gathered at the 
point of central interest in the city of Vandalia. When the 
boys were ready to move a tremendous crowd was in attend- 
ance from the country and neighboring towns, to bid them 
God-speed and wish them a safe return. A most eloquent 
and patriotic as well as hopeful address was delivered by 
Hon. J. J. Brown, which aroused the patriotism and enthu- 
siasm of his auditors to a high degree. Other excellent 
speeches were delivered by several citizens. 

At last, after bidding relatives, family and friends a 
fond farewell, the boys marched proudly away to the 
station and aboard the cars amid the cheers and tears of 
the assembled thousands. On the way to Springfield they 
were greeted at the numerous towns and villages by exhi- 
bitions of the patriotic ardor of their fellow countrymen, 
who had not witnessed such a scene under such circum- 
stances in a generation of time. 

The company landed in Springfield on the the 27th 
day of April, and marched directly tc the State fair grounds, 
afterwards known as Camp Tanner, and were quartered in 
a cattle barn with Company K, of Litchfield, and Company 
D, of Belleville. Now began a long siege of patient 
endurance, unrelieved by many incidents of humor, pleas- 
ure or comfort. It was only the eager expectation with 
which the boys looked forward to the period of action that 
made the weeks from the 27th of April to the 20th of May 
endurable. 

Companies K, I and D were a little more than ordi- 
narily unfortunate in being so crowded. The room in the 
barn was not adequate for the accommodation of so many 
men. We slept six in a stall, with sometimes one or two 
crowded at the feet of the other men. It is doubtful if so 



1 1 8 HISTORY OF THE 

many animals were ever before crowded into those stalls, 
and we believe there never will be again, for if the humane 
society is seized with the "expansion " fever, it may hover 
its protecting wing over the soldier animals also. We here 
learned what it meant to be the "pivot" man, with five 
under a blanket, when we had the latter desirable article. 
The state was "short" on almost everything when the 
troops were called to Springfield, which fact made it neces- 
sary for the boys to call upon the folks at home for necessary 
bedding. Company I did not call upon its friends in Van- 
dalia in vain. The wants of the boys were no sooner known 
than they were promptly and abundantly fulfilled, and soon 
the boys were in possession of a generous supply of blankets, 
quilts and comforts. An almost criminal disregard of the 
needs and health of the troops was shown by the state 
administration in failing to provide even the necessities in 
anything like a sufficient manner. 

We were about as short on "grub" as on bedding. 
The first few days the ration consisted mostly of steak 
broiled over the fire and black coffee and some very fair 
bread. I said coffee. We always doubted its being genu- 
ine, and suspicioned that it was doctored in a manner and 
for the purpose of conducing toward the order of Spring- 
field. Much indignation was felt among the boys at the 
attempts of the Springfield people to secure the mustering 
out of the troops in that city, despite the benefits of travel 
pay the boys might receive. Their zeal is not surprising 
when it is understood that retail dealers could buy coffee 
in one-hundred-pound lots for eight cents less per pound 
than could the state of Illinois of Springfield dealers in 
amounts of one ton. 

As to the beef, well, it had evidently seen "service." 
"Goodie" one of our most prolific wits, used to say that 
you couldn't stick a fork into the gravy. The potatoes had 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I 19 

been through the "flood," while the rice— victim of the 
coo ks— rattled as it went its course. 

Despite these unpleasantries there was nothing but 
good humored criticism of the arrangements and fare. We 
were all too eager to see service and too much excited as 
well as inexperienced to appreciate the culpable negligence 
of the state authorities. It is proper to say here that our 
condition was much better than that of the cavalrymen 
and the Seventh infantrymen. 

Company I made rapid progress in military efficiency 
under its excellent officers. On the guard lines the com- 
pany was "stiff," or accommodating just as circum- 
stances demanded. It contained a set of fellows capable 
of understanding and appreciating situations and acting 
with original, independent judgment when instructions did 
not " fit the case. " As an instance of this Gov. Tanner 
was one night halted by Si Bullington. In answer to the 
challange the governor replied, Governor Tanner, and 
started across, but Si again halted him. "Why," said the 
governor, " its all right, I'm Governor Tanner, I'm in com- 
mand here." But Si stuck to his instructions as close as 
the Yankee peace commissioners did in the terms of the 
protocol. "But, my boy," said the governor, "I'm Gov- 
ernor Tanner. " "I don't give a cuss, " said Si, ' ' if you're 
the shade of Julius C?esar, you can't get across this post." 
The governor chuckled and moved on. But, if in reply to 
the challange, " friend with a bottle" was given, few Com- 
pany I men had the heart to keep a brother out. There 
was a hole on the west side well known and remembered 
by all Company I men. That hole was a literal bonanza 
to the sentinel who was lucky enough to possess it and a 
boon friend of the adventurous, fun-loving boys, who liked 
Springfield society. Well sheltered, in the hollow by- 
trees, on two sides, it was comparatively secure from the 



120 HISTORY OF THE 

observation of over curious officers. Here Walt Pollard 
was stationed one evening, about sundown, just at the time 
the "noctural animals " began to prowl. Walt, as is well 
known, has a capacious and a varied appetite. As pies, 
cakes, cookies, candy, cigars and other stuff was acceptable 
to him he did a good business. Nearly four regiments of 
soldiers stole furtively through that hole. The camp 
looked about as deserted as a church house during a week- 
day prayer meeting, while Springfield was hilarious. 
Walter was enterprising and expressed a desire to take that 
hole south with him. All were sorry that he could not get 
the " consent of the officers" for Walter's generosity was 
abounding. We felt quite sure that he would have loaned 
it to us to go on guard with in return for a " pretty rifle " 
during guard mounting. 

But, for military form we (sometimes) had a strict 
regard. As guard mount was in the evening we were in- 
structed to halt all persons seen on or near our posts during 
the night. Nothing was said about proceedings in day- 
light. So when day arrived we still adhered rigidly to our 
instructions and halted everything in sight. We could see 
guard relief coming when it was still a half mile away. 
But if we had been sitting or reclining, on its appearance 
we calmly resumed pacing our posts. When we thought 
it was about the regulation distance away we were sud- 
denly startled — wheel quickly about, bring our rifles to a 
charge bayonets and shout, in stentorian tones, "Halt! 
who's there? answer, " Corporal with the Relief. " "Ad- 
vance! Corporal of the Relief, and be recognized." Talk 
about red tape! and strange to say no " He of the shoulder 
straps " corrected us. Nevertheless on the several dress 
parade reviews and on the Sunday inspection of Governor 
Tanner, Company I acquitted itself well, demonstrating that 
it was second to no company in the regiment, and deserved 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 12 1 

the honor of carrying the regimental colors which it had 
won at the previous annual encampment for its superiority 
as a military organization. 

Lewis Brown was the first company barber. That is 
a fact not difficult to remember. It is one of the first that 
occurs to one who attempts to narrate the history of the 
company. It is, however, a painful recollection reminding 
one forcibly of the proceeding of the Indian squaws in 
pulling the hair out of the heads of white men whom the 
tribe adopts, Lewis after his own fashion converted us to 
red brothers. He began operation in Springfield nor ceased 
till we were mustered out. He became, however, a very 
creditable hand with the razor. 

These are the principal incidents up to the time of 
muster in. On the physicial examination Company I was 
specially unfortunate. It lost more men than any other in 
the regiment — in all twenty-one. This reduced the num- 
ber below the necessary limit. The deficit was made up 
with men drawn from the surplus of other companies. 
The disappointment of the rejected men was keen and dis- 
tressing. Several of them shed tears when they left the 
grounds to return home. Some of them afterward suc- 
ceeded in enlisting when the companies were recruited up 
to one hundred and nine men, and lived to repent their 
folly as they called it. Considering the humble duty per- 
formed by our company, and its limited field of operations, 
and the seeming greedless sacrifice of its members, it is not 
to be wondered at that some, forgetting the conditions pre- 
vailing at the time of their enlistment, cursed themselves 
for fools. Some civilians, forgetting likewise, were dis- 
posed to look with a sort of patronizing pity for the mind 
on him who was patriotic enough to forsake the pursuit of 
money getting, and offer his life and liberty for the cause 
of humanity at his country's call. Not long after returning 



122 HISTORY OF THE 

home this spring a young lady stated that while a great 
many very good kind of fellows had enlisted what they 
called, at home, the boys, that is, the upper crust (I sup- 
pose these were sons of well-to-do fathers, who had climbed 
to the top from the bottom of the ladder by hard work — 
the respectable lads of leisure who dress in fine clothes, part 
their hair in the middle, go away to college, take the girls 
buggy-riding and to the dances, tip their hats to the old 
ladies, turn up their dainty smellers at the laboring man, 
and who never earned a dollar in their lives) had not gone 
to the front. I replied, " When a fellow gets too infernally 
nice to fight for his country, he had better be shot or put 
in an asylum for the helpless and feeble, for he is abso- 
lutely a burden to society." 

Let it be remembered that it was predicted that our 
armies would meet with disaster on land and sea in the first 
engagements; that the attitude of Germany, France, Rus- 
sia and other great powers was in doubt; that some even 
predicted that a foreign foe would land on our shores; that 
our brilliant series of unbroken victories was entirely 
unforeseen and unexpected, and that a bloody struggle was 
expected by all. 

When we look back at contemporary conditions we 
can better understand the wisdom and the lofty patriotism 
that inspired men to enlist. They weren't excited fools, 
by any means. This is a pardonable digression, I believe, 
since the soldiers have been the victims of their own cen- 
sure and the patronizing pity of others who also forgot the 
conditions which prompted the boys to take the step they 
did, and despite many declarations to the contrary, I 
firmly believe that if a call were to be made to-day, that 
every soldier in the late war would promptly enlist, if con- 
vinced that his services were needed. 

On the failure of many to pass the examination, de- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 123 

pended the opportunity of others of us to get into the 
service. Their misfortune was our blessing. " It's an ill 
wind that blows nobody good." We have cause to this 
day to congratulate ourselves on having been associated 
with such an agreeable, intelligent, sociable and manly set 
of fellows as were the boys of Company I, and with such 
considerate, gentlemanly and brotherly fellows as our 
officers. We are very thankful that we were not com- 
pelled to serve under a set of supercillious, bumptious, over- 
bearing ignoramuses, who knew nothing in military science 
and life to appreciate but their uniforms, who believed 
themselves little Napoleons, ready to spring into full 
flower, and we untrained paddies. We love a leader, like 
Houston or Clayton, but a driver we hate. 

Accordingly, the date of muster in found us ready and 
eager. It was a solemn scene, when on the 20th of May, 
1898, we lifted our right hands and solemnly swore to 
faithfully serve our country for two years. Tears stood in 
the eyes of many as they realized the solemnity and por- 
tent of the step they were taking. But these feelings were 
soon relieved by playfully bantering others who had not 
yet been mustered in — calling them "tin soldiers," and 
the like, and referring to themselves as " old veterans." 

A feeling of- tension existed during the time that inter- 
vened from the date of muster in until we were ordered to 
proceed to the front. Deep satisfaction prevailed when we 
were at last ordered to proceed to Tampa, Florida. .The 
well ones ceased their quarrelling and the "sick ones 
stopped crying for quinine and pills," and all busied them- 
selves in packing up. There were no heart-rending scenes 
at our departure. Most of our friends had been to see and 
visit us in camp. So that when we received our orders an 
air of strict attention to plain business prevailed. A great 
many, however, snatched a few brief moments to pen a 



124 HISTORY OF THE 

line to friends at home. One little lady was faithful to the 
last, however. Roll Suerley was the envy of every man 
in the company. One of the prettiest little lasses that it 
has ever been our lot to see was there to bid him a last 
farewell. He fondly pressed a farewell kiss on her ruby 
lips as the train moved away nor heeded the taunts of his 
envious comrades. We knew right then that Roll would 
make a good soldier. He had both courage and an inspira- 
tion. 

We marched aboard the cars at 1:15, but it was not 
until towards 4 P. M. that we begun to travel toward the 
sunny south land. Our fellow countrymen unwearied by 
many previous and similar occasions cheered us on our way. 
At Girard the ladies of the Woman's Relief Corps met us 
at the train and supplied us with sandwiches and coffee. 
We had but little beside " hoss " and hard tack to eat on 
our way down aside from what we got at our numerous 
stops and thus had occasion to remember the kindness of 
the ladies with deep gratitude. At Belleville, the home of 
Colonel Andel, the people were lavish in their generous 
good will. They provided us with nearly half a car load 
of good things but sorry to say the enlisted men never saw 
any of it. The officers and commissary men got the whole 
"cheese." It wasn't the only occasion when they seemed 
to think that they were the whole army and the sole object 
of the praise, admiration, gratitude and beneficence of their 
fellow countrymen. But the good and generous citizens 
of Belleville have our sincere thanks for all that. 

On the 27th day of May we crossed the Ohio river, 
once the dividing line of deadly foes, and whose banks and 
bordering forests had rung to the echoes of hostile cannon, 
and plunged into the forests of western Kentucky. Our 
journey through " Dixie " was fraught with especial inter- 
est to most of us. Few had ever before been south of the 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 125 

Ohio, and were alive to study the soil, climate, industrial 
conditions and above all the people of this renowned sec- 
tion of our country. We had heard much of them, and 
looked to see the people turn from us with averted looks 
and unfriendly glance; but we traveled on, and on meeting 
with nothing but hospitable receptions, kindly interest and 
good will, and by the time we reached Jacksonville we con- 
cluded that the "South" was a myth; that there was no 
"North," no "South," but that the whole land was our 
own dear country, with one " cause, one flag and one 
heart. " Everywhere we were greeted with the same patri- 
otic enthusiasm, generous good will and hospitality with 
which our own friends bade us farewell. At Fulton, Ken- 
tucky; Jackson, Tennessee; Holly Springs, Mississippi; 
Waycross, Americus and Albany, Georgia, large crowds of 
enthusiastic people greeted us. At the last named place 
the people served us handsomely. Cigars, lemonade, cof- 
fee and sandwiches were provided. Though the First Bat- 
talion absorbed most of the supply, ours came in for sub- 
stantial recognition, although the citizens expressed regret 
of their ignorance of more to follow, which occasioned the 
limited supply of provisions. Words cannot express our 
gratitute toward, and appreciation of, the southern people. 
What we had heard of the hospitality of the south was 
more than realized. 

A number of us took occasion to shake hands with and 
talk to as many old Confederate veterans as possible. 
When we told them that the gray-haired "boys" at home 
sent them tidings of good will, tears trickled down their 
furrowed, grizzled faces. At Fulton, Kentucky, one large, 
fine looking old soldier questioned me with "Where you 
all from?" "Illinois," said I, with pardonable pride. 
"Well," said he, "you ought to be good fighters then, for 
your daddies fit us mighty hard." We appreciate that 



126 HISTORY OF THE 

remark, for if we have nothing else to brag about we can 
boast that we are the sons of our daddies — the boys of '61. 

The southern scenery and industrial conditions inter- 
ested us much, particularly the agricultural implements and 
appliances. Herman Smith, after closely studying the 
various styles of mule harness, remarked that he guessed 
he would send home for a lot of twine string and start a 
harness shop. While passing through one of the small 
towns on this trip, Alma Smith was struck in the eye by a 
stone thrown by some unknown person, but supposed to be 
a "coon." The injury seemed permanent, for at last 
accounts the sight was nearly gone. This was one of the 
most distressing occurrences of the trip. 

We arrived in Jacksonville the 29th of May, tired and 
hungry. Tired of everything, particularly cold beans and 
"canned hoss." One man — private Geo. Cheeney — was 
laid up with rheumatism and had to be carried from the 
train on a stretcher. The trouble was contracted on guard at 
Camp Tanner. He was later taken to the division hospital 
but was soon out again. He was the first Company 1 man 
to report to the hospital. 

By evening of the 29th our tents were up after much 
labor and tedious inconvenience in procuring them. We 
were soon ready for business and found that it wasn't going 
to be long in coming our way and wearing a most serious 
aspect. We had not then heard of Gen. W. H. Bancroft, 
but it wasn't long 'til we thought nothing for even a 
moment of any other man in the United States. The gen- 
eral was soon the subject of general thought and conversa- 
tion. He haunted our thoughts by day and our dreams by 
night. 

In common with many others we thought we had lit- 
tle to learn, but under the critical, efficient hand of General 
Bancroft we soon found that we didn't even know when, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 127 

where and how to salute. In coming from the hydrant 
with a bucket of water one morning " Tubby " Aderholt 
neglected that important function in acknowledging the 
early morning presence of the general, whereupon the lat- 
ter promptly halted him, commanded him to drop his 
bucket, salute and keep his hand going in pump handle 
fashion for ten minutes. After that if the General was 
within a quarter of a mile Tubby kept his weather eye on 
him and saluted if he even looked in Tubby's direction. 

The General also had an eye for martial bearing and 
appearance, as Ira Snyder found to his chagrin. The Gen- 
eral once commanded him to stand "straight" in line. 

John Ira did his best but did not satisfy the critical eye 
of the officer. Said he, after several vain attempts by Ira, 
' « are you knock-kneed? " ' ' Slightly, " said John Ira. The 
General was no less a stickler for punctuality than for other 
important details. The officers and men of Company I 
will not soon forget the row he raised over a five minute 
delay in getting breakfast, due to a failure of the cook- 
shack guard to awaken the relief. But we all learned to 
appreciate and respect General Bancroft. He was the 
making of the regiment. 

When we first went to Jacksonville some alarm was 
felt over the presence of prowling Spanish assassins said by 
the sensation-loving press to be in the country, waylaying 
soldiers on the guard lines, poisoning drinking water, etc. 
' ' Goodie " Griffith, in wandering abjout the guard lines, acci- 
dently stumbled onto Cliff Sweet. Cliff — new at the busi- 
ness — was greatly alarmed. He gave the challenge in 
trembling accents, sighed deeply when the answer was given, 
and answered in a relieved tone of pleasant surprise, "Oh! 
is that you, Goodie?" 

Before long we had abundant opportunity to work off 
our nervousness on the stump patches which were entirely 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

too numerous to permit any indulgence of ideas of soldierly 
leisure. Anyhow the " Florida Sand and Improvement 
Co." proved a blessing to Florida. The labor we boys ex- 
pended on stumps and ditches, and the money we left in 
Jacksonville so far improved conditions that a great number 
of dwelling houses are going up on the site of our old camp 
ground. We suppose the owners of these sites got the 
work done at greatly reduced rates. We understood that 
"nigger" labor in the long run wasn't cheap, which fact 
prevented a rapid development of resources. 

The sergeants and corporals thought that those were 
the " times that tried men's souls. " They could scarcely 
ever finish a job without going two or three times down the 
line to rustle up the detail which had gradually evaporated 
under the hot sun, on the pretext of getting drinks or at- 
tending to other very imperative duties. (Boys, you know 
what.) The boys soon had many friends among the ladies 
of Jacksonville. So deep were some of the ties and so 
vivid some of their tender experiences, that memory will be 
annihilated ere they cease to remember with mixed emo- 
tions their fair friends of the sunny sands of Florida. So 
great was the fascination these southern dames exercised 
over the Yankee boys that the risks run by the gallant boys 
in getting across the guard lines were amazing. One of 
the most dauntless of these devoted gallants was Thomas 
F. Pantry. It would have taken triple guard lines, and 
three lines of yelping terriers and three of bull dogs to keep 
intrepid Tom in camp when the spirit of the "divine pas- 
sion " animated him. Consequently Tom had the privilege 
of lying in the guard house and indulging in day dreams of 
his lady love, or philosophizing on the wisdom of his action 
as he cut poles or built bridges as an extra duty man. Tom 
was very popular with Sergeant Adams in the latter capac- 
ity 'til his ardor begun to cool, as the result of much trial 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 12<J 

and tribulation. Tom could give most of the boys pointers 
on night skirmishing tactics if he couldn't on those in the 
drill regulations. Tom, however, had the gift of original- 
ity. He used to undress, go to bed and apparently to sleep* 
in order to deceive his eagle-eyed duty-devoted corporal,. 
Charles Smith. After the others had begun to snore, wily* 
Tom would lift the flap of the tent, roll out on the ground 1 ,, 
dress and hie himself away to his waiting lady love. The 
stumps were a great obstacle to safe running after night. 
So Tom, one day, surveyed a route through the stumps for 
the night run. But " the best laid plans of mice and men 
gang aft a glee. " That night a double guard line was on. 
He passed the first line in safety by dint of crawling about 
one hundred yards on each side of the line. But a double 
guard was on. Just as Tom was congratulating himself, 
up rose the shadowy form of a sentinel. That made Tom 
eager and enthusiastic for a foot race. He touched his 
shank ponies into a gallop and with much confidence dashed 
down the premeditated path. " Pride goeth before a fall."' 
The guard headed him off. He bobbed in and out among 
the stumps like a scared rabbit, but soon came in contact 
with a gigantic stump which brought him to earth withi 
rather a sudden stop and huge grunt. The guard hauled' 
him in promptly. After this experience the gallant Tom 
concluded that it was useless to expend any effort in laying 
plans since extemporaneous ones were as good as any in 
a stump patch. He would have grubbed stumps with, 
alacrity and pleasure in the right place after that. 

The liveliest skirmish in which any of us ever partici- 
pated occurred when the graybacks struck camp. When 
it was first rumored that the old confederate seam squirrel 
had invaded our quarters, a small panic seized many. 
Lively hunts at once ensued. It was amusing to see the 
rigorous, drastic measures to which the boys resorted in 



I 30 HISTORY OF THE 

order to get rid of them. Salt, vinegar, kerosene and 
everything that would kill a louse were put into huge cal- 
drons of boiling water and his louseship treated to the 
first, last and only bath of his life. The first victims felt 
considerably mortified and humiliated but we gradually be- 
came reconciled to our unavoidable circumstances and 
derived consolation from the knowledge that all good sol- 
diers had to make the acquaintance of graybacks. But 
it was a credit to the boys the way they fought the pests 
and gallantly contended with them for the undisputed pos- 
session of every square inch of their soil of which we kept 
always a good supply in Jacksonville. But the boys did 
not like to be reminded in a public way of the presence of 
these little would-be comrades of the soldier boys. The 
editor of the Jacksonville Times Union and Citizen told 
them about it once and ate his words the next day to save 
his measly skin and his office from the hands of the angry 
boys. The devil take Jacksonville is the earnest prayer of 
every good soldier of Company I. There was an abund- 
ance of dirt, a paucity of bath tubs and a good supply of 
scheming sharks. The merchants could give pointers to 
any traveling fake that ever lifted his voice in behalf of 
brass goods and cheap shoddy. 

While it only fell to the lot of Company I to pursue a 
very sober and humble path of duty, yet its career was not 
devoid of incidents perhaps trifling in themselves yet of 
considerable interest and excitement to the boys at the 
time of their occurrence, particularly to those who partici- 
pated in them. Those who assisted at different times to 
vary the monotony were Wm. T. Bailey and.Herman Smith, 
when they one morning came to blows over a can of milk. 
But few blows were passed, yet they were cool and earnest. 
James McLaren and Ed Fellwockalso furnished us a lively 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 131 

scene one evening, as did also Mabry and Benjamin Sun- 
day. 

Another morning, immediately on return from drill, we 
were excited by the report that a Company I man had shot 
himself. It proved that Alma Smith while " fooling" with 
a pistol that was loaded accidentally fired a ball through 
the calf of his leg. (The bullet wounded two calves.) The 
wound was quite painful but not serious. After a few 
weeks on crutches, he was as fit as ever. This was the 
only Company I man wounded by a bullet during the whole 
Spanish-American war. Other companies can, however, 
show a better record than this. The crutches involved the 
temporary possessor in a skirmish over the right to a cer- 
tain portion of the tent with private Geo. Cheeney. The 
dispute became so serious that the crutches for a time 
threatened to take action in the matter. The question was 
finally referred the captain, who settled it in a very decisive 
way by consigning the sticks to the top of the mess shack, 
where there was an abundance of room. Quarrels sometimes 
make better friends, as this occurrence served to demon- 
strate. We never heard, however, whether Mabry and 
Sunday ever became good friends or not. Mabry was as 
devilish a tease as ever walked on two legs. He used to 
be a thorn in Ben's side, constantly irritating and provoking 
him. They had enough squabbles to make them as loving 
and tender as brothers, but no one ever discovered anything 
" soft " about " Mab," although a better fellow to his friends 
didn't exist. The way he worked a certain lieutenant was 
a matter of considerable amusement. He showed himself 
to be a good judge of human nature and an expert in blar- 
neying. 

About the most exciting incident that befell us was 
while on provost in Fairfield. The event occurred at 
Flynn's saloon, while under the guardianship of Corp. John 



I32 HISTORY OF THE 

D. Haughawout, in charge of a detail of three men com- 
posed of TomBranman, and Geo. Cheeney. While 

the last named was on guard in front of the store a negro 
came up the street reporting that a soldier had attacked 
him, drawing a pistol. The corporal was notified and the 
two men proceeded down the street to look for the bellig- 
erant soldier. The negro was also along for the purpose 
of identifying him. They soon came across three soldiers 
proceeding toward the saloon. Before getting close enough 
for identification, as it was quite dark, the negro charged 
that one of the soldiers was the one that had assaulted and 
attempted to rob him. Being a southerner the soldier 
wasn't inclined to tolerate any such unfounded charge, par- 
ticularly as he had imbibed a little too freely. So he 
started for Mr. "Coon." We interposed and succeeded 
in getting him quiet and starting them for camp. When 
they got to the saloon, however, they stopped for another 
drink, an eye closer, I suppose. The "coon" followed 
them in and renewed the charge. The soldier and his com- 
rades had by this time taken on too much to remain calm. 
So they declared their willingness to fight anybody and 
everything, while protesting earnestly that they weren't 
looking for trouble. They very dramatically threw off their 
hats, shirts and started to remove their trousers also, all 
the while eloquently, if not elegantly, declaiming on the 
injustice done them and their chivalrous desire and inten- 
tion to annihilate the whole darkey population. Mean- 
time the news spread through the negro quarter and soon 
about fifty or sixty sable gentlemen were on the scene bent 
on the protection of their dusky brother and were armed 
with canes, some of which could hardly have been designed 
merely for walking sticks. One drew a pistol, but was im- 
mediately arrested, but released on promise of good behav- 
ior. Meantime the situation was growing worse, negroes 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I 33 

were rapidly gathering from all directions, while the excited 
boys were growing more and more quarrelsome. We were 
threatened with "coons " on one side and with drunk and 
enraged soldiers on the other. We finally cleared the bar- 
room of the offending presence of the darkeys, induced the 
belligerents to rehabilitate themselves and started them for 
camp. We afterward heard that they were followed and 
fired upon by a negro, presumably the one who was so of- 
fensively aggressive. While this scene was transpiring, an 
individual laboring under considerable excitement, partly 
artificial, had burst in on our camp with an excited story of 
the gravity of the situation. A large detail was quickly 
fallen in and doubled-quicked to our rescue. When it ar- 
rived all was "quiet on the Potomac." 

This saloon was the scene of more trouble than al- 
most all the rest of the district included. It was a cheap 
grog shop and grocery store combined, where the lowest 
quality of " rot gut " was dispensed to the colored patrons. 
Bad whisky and bad " niggers " are a dangerous combina- 
tion to any community. 

At another time, while on guard there, a North Caro- 
linian came in with a badly injured head, the result of a 
contact with a beer bottle in the hand of a colored 
"heeler." He seemed to be seriously hurt, and suffered 
great pain. His subsequent fate we did not learn. 

George W. Cheeney was also a participant in another 
row with a Texan, on board a street car. The latter was 
"tipsy," and became quite profane and obscene in his 
language, which was very offensive to the ladies present. 
The conductor finally ordered the car stopped and the of- 
fender bounced. As the instructions of the street car 
guards placed them under the orders of the conductor, he 
proceeded to fulfill his orders. The Texan, a stalwart fel- 
low, saw the matter in a different light, and proposed to 



134 HISTORY OF THE 

remain through force of might. A struggle ensued, during 
which, while the rifle being rendered useless by the hold of 
the Texan, and in the way, was dropped, and the offender 
pushed off. The rifle having fallen to the. ground was 
reached for by the Texan, but his antagonist got there first. 
The people, including some officers and soldiers, were 
greatly excited, and started to interpose to prevent serious 
trouble. The Texan, however, having regained some 
sense, immediately surrendered and was marched to camp, 
all the time indulging in a tirade against street car con- 
ductors. His punishment, on court-martial, was made 
light, owing to the considerate testimony submitted by the 
guard whom he had attacked. 

Ferd Leonard also furnished considerable excitement 
for the whole regiment one day by pronouncing some fer- 
vent and inspired opinions of the colonel in the very pres- 
ence of that officer. Some thought it necessary to restrain 
the flow of his eloquence and attempted it in a brutal, in- 
human manner. One who did not at first sympathize with 
the condition of the offender would be driven to a very in- 
dignant defense of him at the sight of such cruel, heartless 
punishment. I must say here that we boys had considera- 
bly less regard for those who perpetrated the offence. A 
little man from the Second Volunteer Cavalry burst into 
indignant tears and loudly proclaimed his wish for a "six- 
shooter." I would almost have been willing to take one to 
have seen him put two more where they ought to have 
gone. Another officer of the Fourth used to consider it 
necessary to "buck" and "gag" men in order to discipline 
them. No one who has any understanding of the charac- 
ter of the volunteer soldier will agree with him as to the 
necessity of such punishment. It is brutal, fit only to be 
practiced on unmanageable brutes and the man who does it 
lacks sense, heart, manhood and honor. He is little bet- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 135 

ter than a brute himself. He demonstrated all this by 
numerous other acts. This isn't Company I history, but it 
is history to the members of Company I. 

I suppose we boys will not soon forget the hop we took 
to meet Governor Tanner one night, due to a mistake of 
the Colonel in reading a telegram. The commanding offi- 
cer noting the inactivity of the Second Illinois, congratulated 
himself on stealing a march on its officers. When 1 1 
o'clock arrived and no Governor we were considerably ex- 
asperated. We arrived in camp about midnight, hot and 
tired and dusty. Private Joseph Shuck suffered with a 
severe attack of the cramps in the muscles of his lower 
limbs, as a result of the unusual exertion. We almost had 
trouble with a certain very long, attenuated would-be 
physician who was exceedingly averse to getting out of his 
bed to minister to the wants of a sick private. He finally 
came, under a threat of having him reported. That was 
about as much professional interest as a great many pill 
quacks ever evinced in the army. 

Although Company I was much more favorably located 
in the Springfield camp at Jacksonville during the rainy 
weather, it was with some satisfaction that we settled in 
the new camp at Panama. It was a more desirable site in 
every way except for the disadvantage of being so far away 
from the city. We had moved to escape sickness, which 
we thought would certainly result from a longer stay in the 
former camp. We had not long been at Panama, how- 
ever, before our company was greatly reduced in strength 
owing to the great inroads of disease. It was not, how- 
ever, probably due to the last camp. Two good surgeons 
pronounced the presence of so much fever in the Fourth 
Illinois to be due to the extreme unhealthfulness of Camp 
Springfield. But it was the belief of a great many that 
other causes contributed to bring about this condition, viz. : 



I36 HISTORY OF THE 

the loss of enthusiasm, hope and interest consequent on 
the termination of hostilities, and the ensuing inactivity 
and homesickness. This was quite conclusively demon- 
strated by the comparative condition of companies that had 
a change of scene and occupation. During the two weeks 
Company I was on duty in Fairfield, while there was some 
sickness, the general health of the company was good. 
On our return to Camp Panama we could muster as many 
men for morning drill as any other three or four companies 
in the regiment. But shortly after rejoining the regiment 
Company I fell a victim to the prevailing conditions and 
was soon in as lamentable a condition physically as the 
other companies. In those days it was difficult to muster 
more than three or four squads for drill or guard duty. 
Those were times that tried our souls. The quarrels of the 
officers engendered a restless, dissatisfied, dissenting spirit 
among the men. Discipline was never at so low an ebb. 
It seemed the good, hard, earnest labor of General Ban- 
croft and our company officers had been lost. Happily, it 
was a mistaken notion, as the fine work of the regiment 
demonstrated later on. Here, at this time, a rather 
determined effort was made to get rid of the regimental 
canteen. It was felt that it was the cause of many of our 
complaints in the rigid administration of the guard line. 
It was forbidden us to go beyond the limits of the regiment 
for any purpose without a pass, while venders were kept 
out of the quarters and stands arbitrarily forced to dis- 
continue business. We felt that this was largely in the 
interest of the canteen. Indignant at such selfish mean- 
ness, we quickly found a way to render the order null and 
void. The Sixth Missouri and the First and Second South 
Carolina men were privileged to pass in and out without 
restraint in order that they might patronize our canteen. 
So when we desired to go beyond the lines we would walk 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 137 

past a sentinel, perhaps our own "bunkie," and give the 
password, which was " Sixth Missouri " or " Second South 
Carolina." If a man acted as if he were going across 
without giving the word, the guard would call: "Say, 
you're Sixth Mo., ain't you?" "Yes." "All right; go 
ahead then." 

The movement against the canteen originated with 
two or three Company I men and a Company A man, who 
enlisted the sympathy of two or three kindred spirits and 
started a petition through all the companies requesting the 
Colonel to abolish the canteen. He had been remonstrated 
with time and again by his superior officers, all to no avail. 
In two companies no effort was made to circulate a petition 
for fear of official vengeance. In some companies as high 
as eighty to ninety per cent, of the members signed it. In 
others only thirty to forty per cent., but had the petition 
been taken through at an earlier date or had all signed it 
who had in some way and at some time condemned it, not 
less than ninety percent, of the whole regiment would have 
signed it. 

When the Colonel learned of the proceedings he threat- 
ened to reduce to the ranks every non-commissioned officer 
who bad signed it. It was the desire of some to defy 
him to do his worst, write him up in the papers, enlist the 
sympathy of the temperance and church people and arouse 
popular opinion to such a temper as to make his resigna- 
tion inevitable. But some were so mortally afraid of the 
disgrace of being reduced to a private soldier that they 
made almost frantic appeals for the withholding of the 
papers from the Colonel. Their wishes were finally heeded, 
though we have always believed that had we persisted in 
our former course that beneficial results would have fol- 
lowed despite the fact that it was an unmilitary procedure 
and would have involved us in trouble and perhaps sub- 



138 HISTORY OF THE 

jected us to severe punishment. This incident kept the 
camp in an excited state of mind for several days owing to 
the numerous and heated arguments that were precipitated. 
Some very unchristian-like opinions were expressed by both 
sides. 

Another subject of much heated argument was the 
question of going to Cuba. The partisans of each side 
were equally pronounced and outspoken in their views. 
Those who favored the idea, however, were in the minor- 
ity. But it is probable that if a vote were taken to-day a 
majority would declare their satisfaction at having gone. 

But the most depressing and discouraging feature of 
life at Camp Panama was the great number of men that 
fell ill. So many were stricken that even the most health- 
ful experienced a sense of gloom and uncertainty. None 
knew whose turn it would be next. It would be impossible 
for the writer in the absence of all notes to mention all 
those who were seriously ill and those who passed through 
the "valley of the shadow of death" and lived to tell the 
story. 

We, however, lost by death four men. The first of 
these was Herman Smith, a jolly, good natured boy who 
made many original and witty remarks and livened the 
boys up wherever he was, no matter what transpired. ' ' Har- 
monica " was usually cheerful and ready to create a laugh. 
He gave his life to his country and to his God September 
24, 1898. 

The next to be called was Sergeant Clarence Hall, 
who answered the last roll call September 27, 1898, three 
days after comrade Smith had left our ranks. Hall was a 
man greatly beloved by all the men of his company and 
deservedly so. As a non-commissioned officer he was 
efficient, but modest and unassuming. He was considerate 
and kindly toward those under his direction and control 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 139 

and arrogated to himself no airs of superiority. He was 
good humored, humorous and a true friend. It will create 
no envy to say that he was the most popular non-com- 
missioned officer in the company. His case was especially 
sad, since he left a young and beautiful wife and a little 
babe. Many were the tears that coursed down the faces 
of his remaining comrades when the sweet and solemn 
melody of the bugle summoned him to his last long sleep. 
May God bless, comfort and protect his sorrowing wife 
and mother and his fatherless babe. 

October 27, 1898, was a day made memorable by the 
sad and untimely deaths of Patrick Ryan and James 
McLaren. The former was one of the greatest wits in the 
company and by his droll stories and Irish wit generally 
kept his companions in a spirit of great good humor. He 
was also a true friend, honest and thoroughly reliable. It 
was never my lot to hear a word spoken in disparagement 
of Pat Ryan. He was greatly liked by all the boys of his 
company and his death was a source of deep and profound 
regret. James McLaren, whose death we were called upon 
to mourn at the same time, was another hale fellow well 
met. He was a sharp, shrewd thinker, a jolly fellow who 
loved a good time and possessed that virtue of virtues in a 
soldier's eyes, viz: loyalty to friends. To them he was true 
as steel, and was never called upon by them in vain. May 
the Father of all mercies smile and solace the hearts of the 
stricken fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends of 
our dead comrades. 

The first Company I man to receive a discharge, be- 
cause of physical disability, was George Bingaman, with 
whose misfortune we all sympathized deeply. Then fol- 
lowed, for like reasons, the discharges of James O. Guinn, 
Henry Wilson, Fletcher Bullington, Harry T. Dungey, 
Orville C. Bo't, John M. Slichter, Charles O. Toothaker 



140 HISTORY OF THE 

and Rollin D. Snerley, though not in the order named. 
Some were discharged after we reached Savannah, while 
others served for a time in Cuba. We lost five men by 
transfer, viz.: Si Bullington to Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, 
Edward Hill to United States Hospital Corps, Isaac Hil- 
ton to Company G, Cortez \V. McKnight to Signal Corps, 
and Joseph Shuck to Company E. 

After the dreary monotony, sickness and death at 
Camp Panama, the boys of Company I welcomed the 
change to provost duty at station No. i, in Jacksonville. 
As the writer was not with the company during this period 
of its service, he has had to .depend on what has been re- 
lated to him, and that was not much. It would seem that 
outside of the necessity of giving numerous shower baths, 
at which they became experts, the boys met with few ex- 
citing adventures worthy of notice. 

Akeman related a little story of how he avoided 
"pinching" a comrade, but the details of it have about 
escaped my memory. It seems that Peter has a tender, 
generous heart. He thought to himself, "do as you would 
be done by." Seeing that the gentleman was laying him- 
self liable to arrest, and being averse to subjecting him to 
that annoyance and inconvenience, Peter made himself 
scarce, and allowed the gentleman to escape. It seems 
that an officer happened to see the proceeding, but appre- 
ciating Peter's philanthropy, he connived at the procedure, 
and secretly reassured him. Peter said it made him " very 
glad," and I believe myself, the angels must have sung an 
extra song on the strength of it. 

Company I formed a part of the advance guard under 
Major Bennett, which first took charge of provost work at 
Savannah, Georgia. 

I have heard that the people of Savannah appreciated 
the advent of the soldiers with feelings of alarm, appre- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 141 

hension and dread. But that the gentlemanly conduct of 
the boys and the entire ability of the guards to quell all 
disturbances and control all disorder soon put them at their 
ease and disposed them to give the boys in blue a hospit- 
able, hearty reception wherever they went. It may safely 
be said therefore that no small credit for the generous treat- 
ment the soldiers received is due those who formed the ad- 
vance guard and to Company I as a portion of that detail. 
Our boys won laurels of praise in common with the other 
companies of the regiment in the great review by President 
McKinley. 

They were royally treated by the citizens of Savan- 
nah on Thanksgiving day, and desire here to express their 
heart-felt gratitude to the people of Savannah for the kind- 
ly and generous recognition they received that day. The 
state of Illinois owes a vote of thanks to the people of 
Savannah for their generous treatment of the boys of Illi- 
nois. 

No events of particular importance occurred in Savan- 
nah, so far as I could ascertain from the boys. One laugh- 
able incident occurred when one night on one of the nu- 
merous raids Captain Houston rounded a corner of a house 
and discerning two shadowy forms in the dark called "halt!" 
Whereupon a trembling voice replied, "D-d-d-d-don't, don't 
sh-sh-shoot, Cap, its me." The forms were afterward dis- 
covered to be the substantial personalities of Tilen Ader- 
holt and Crowder. But both disclaimed ownership of 
the voice and have so far succeeded in deceiving themselves 
that they say and seem to really believe that it was all a 
joke of the boys' manufacture. 

Griffith and Newberry, as well as a few others, paid a 
good round sum for a night's entertainment but since the 
fines are devoted to a good cause it is not so good a cause 
of grief as might be at first inferred. Christmas was a 




■f'JLuZXS,. (P.^lcvfir, vlujr.PV&iz^-. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 143 

great day with the Company I boys. They will not soon 
forget the uproarious, hilarious, jolly time they had that 
day. 

It was not without satisfaction that we received our 
orders to pack up, preparatory to our departure for Cuba. 
At least a change was in prospect. As our company 
marched through the street there were numerous testimon- 
ials of the high regard in which the men of Company I were 
held by the citizens of Savannah. People frequently 
darted from the ranks of the bystanders to grasp the hands 
of our boys in a farewell clasp, and wish them God-speed, 
a pleasant sojourn and a safe return. Some of the devoted 
sweet hearts of the boys defied the guards at the entrance 
of the wharf by climbing on army wagons and riding in, in 
order to bid their young Lochinvars farewell. 

Company I fared well in the matter of room on the 
boat, but some of our men became very sick, notwithstand- 
ing, scarcely leaving their bunks from the time of starting 
to that of landing, and all the time doing their full duty 
by the fish. We were all deeply touched. The writer 
was himself too sick to note the condition of many others, 
but remembers very well the desperate condition of Cor- 
poral Hammond. 

* After arriving within the harbor of Havana we soon 
recuperated and became greatly interested in the wonder- 
ful land to which we had came. Observing the peculiar 
method of unloading cattle in vogue, Roy Fogler denomin- 
ated it a " new brand of jerked beef." So eager did some 
of the boys come to explore the city of which they had 
heard so much that they could not wait for the disembarka- 
tion of the regiment, but passing the guards they hazarded 
an independent expedition. These two adventurers were 
Johnson and Bettner. They hadn't learned nearly all there 
was to know before they ran afoul of a United States regu- 



144 HISTORY OF THE 

lar,who promptly arrested them and had them incarcerated 
in aSpanish jail. Thenext morning, after an interview with 
Major Harrison, who vindicated their right to be abroad, 
they were released. Nevertheless they have the distinction of 
having been the only Company I men to pass a night be- 
hind the bars in Cuba. Not that they were the only ones 
that deserved to, but that they were the only ones that 
did. 

Our first night in camp was distinguished by a rain- 
storm. Owing to our ignorance of Cuban soil we had failed 
to properly and adequately stake our tents. Before a great 
while many of them were down and the unlucky inmates 
were out wading about in the mud, endeavoring to raise 
them and drive stakes with any available club in the inky 
darkness of night. 

On several occasions our tents fell in Cuba. One 
morning, a little while before reveille, the tent of the first 
squad blew down. Hammond Newberry and Cheeney 
found about half of their anatomy exposed to the elements. 
They were compelled to leave their comfortable blankets 
and dress in the storm. They then endeavored to rouse 
their comrades, Pollard, Handel, Kimbro and Moffett. 
Only the latter responded, the others being too comfortable 
to stir our one second before "get 'em up." With much 
difficulty and swearing at the sleeping boys under cover 
the tent was finally raised. Later on the tables were 
turned and out former luxuriating comrades found them- 
selves in the rairi. In vain did they call for our help. We 
groaned, grunted and finally told them to "chase them- 
selves " in army language. For some time after arriving 
in Cuba the life of our men was confined to the camp and 
immediate vicinity, owing to the difficulty of obtaining 
passes. It took a regular furlough to pass one in safety to 
the city of Havana, or to Colon cemetery. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 145 

But after a time the curiosity of the boys overcame all 
fears and many were the trips made to Havana with only 
pure unadulterated nerve for a pass. Mabry and Aderholt 
were among the initiators of this movement, while Snyder, 
Fleming, Wright, Johnson and several others weren't far 
behind. One of these ran onto a regular one day, and, 
fearing some embarrassing requests, he boldy crossed the 
street, went up to the sentinel and inquired the way to the 
post office. He was told and went on his way rejoicing. 

Wright, Snyder, Fleming, Spradling and one or two 
others missed the train returning on one occasion and 
started to camp on foot. They managed to work upon the 
sympathies of the various provosts, but finally lost their 
way and wandered about for some hours in outer darkness. 
They arrived in camp next morning about Q o'clock, after 
having taken a swim, and proceeded leisurely into quarters.. 
They figured that it would not cost any more to miss drill' 
also, and in that they were wise. We never learned just 
what the trip cost the boys, but from all reports they got 
their money's worth. They are to be congratulated on 
their good fortune, for it was seldom on such occasions 
that the boys got all they were compelled to pay for. 

Wright, Fleming and a few others were the partici- 
pants in a Sunday night iark with some cognac that we all 
remember pretty well. The former found himself in an 
unexpected colloquy with " Brother Sam " as he crawled 
into the back end of his tent, and soon after found himself 
on the way to the guard-house. But Joe was too full of 
good spirits to be much depressed. 

By far the most important event to the company was 
the march to Guines. Unfortunately, this was another 
event the writer missed. About the only occurrence of 
which we learned that distinguished their experience from 
that of other companies on the march was the capture by 



I46 HISTORY OF THE 

our " snake charmer," Tom Pantry, aided by others, of 
some very large serpents of the boa constrictor variety. 
They were thereafter the object of a great deal of interest. 
Tom soon had them well trained. Many of the nervy and 
adventurous coiled them around themselves and had their 
pictures taken. Red Handel was the subject of one of 
these photos. But it wasn't for any love of notoriety, 
adventure or snakes that Red submitted himself. It was 
for an almighty dollar. Red was broke at the time. 
Knowing Red's antipathy to snakes, some gamester waged 
him a dollar that he didn't have the nerve to wrap the 
■"big snake" around himself and have his picture taken. 
One thing he didn't know, and that was Red's attachment 
to a dollar when he was broke. Red afterward said that 
he sweat blood, but he wanted that dollar awful bad. 

It was with some delight that we received orders to 
pack up preparatory to our return home. 

By evening of the first day we were on our way to the 
transports. Again we suffered all the tortures of sea sick- 
ness and were glad enough to arrive off Egneout Key. 
Here we spent the most disagreeable three days of all our 
period of service. The dirt and sand and wind were ex- 
tremely annoying. We ran short of potatoes here, but 
managed to make up the deficiency. Company K's efficient 
quartermaster sergeant, "Cap Furz," had marked and 
branded his potato sacks in an unmistakable manner. But 
a jack-knife quickly converted the K to an I, when we car- 
ried the tubers off the lighter under the very noses of the 
watchful officers. Some tomato cans were also smuggled 
through in a sack of spoiled bread and helped materially 
in filling our vacancies. 

During our stay in Augusta, Georgia, we enjoyed more 
liberty than at any previous time. Indeed, Haman and 
one or two others moved to town a few days before we left. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I 47 

Only a few of our men were "pulled" by the Georgia 
crackers on guard there. Stewart and Bogardus were 
treated to a night's lodging in the city, as was also Ader- 
holt. What the latter did to the stove and bars in the en- 
deavor to break into a "coon" pen was a plenty. Ader- 
holt had the happy faculty of making the best of every 
situation. When the fellows "got broke" they instituted 
some very amusing rag dances as a diversion. 

As the time drew near for muster out all was eager- 
ness and enthusiasm. The boys at this time knew more 
of what was going on officially than at any other time, be- 
cause of the large number of men detailed from the com- 
panies as clerks. Fogler, Haughawont, Whitefort, Short, 
Foucht and Cheeney were on special duty for some time. 
Other men who saw special duty at different times during 
our service were Washburne, Ed Snyder, Si Bullington, 
Frank Dickson, who was on duty continuously from the 
time we were mustered in 'til we were mustered out at the 
regimental and brigade headquarters. He was a very 
efficient clerk and deservedly popular with the various of- 
ficial staffs. Charles I. Curry, as permanent provost in 
Jacksonville; William Slichter, Ralph Handel, as canteen 
clerks, the latter also saw much special duty as permanent 
provost; Ed Fellwock, permanent provost in Cuba; Hugh 
E. Kavanaugh, John Kitchen, Jesse Kimbry and William 
Gilbert and Sergeant Frank Sawler, as special provosts in 
Augusta, Georgia; Lieutenant Clayton saw special duty as 
provost marshal and as regimental adjutant for a long 
period of his service. The token of the esteem in which 
he was held was mentioned elsewhere. It should he here 
mentioned that Lieutenant Stout was also the recipient of 
a sword, the gift of the men of his company at Jackson- 
ville, Florida. If any have not been mentioned in this 
connectioned, be assured that the neglect was not inten- 



I48 HISTORY OF THE 

tional. This work has been entirely from memory. It 
would not be at all strange if some things do not therefore 
appear in the proper connection. 

The 5th of May was to us all a day of great rejoicing. 
We were soon packed, in the morning, and after procuring 
the little "paper and long green," for which we had pa- 
tiently (?) waited, we were soon on our way to the waiting 
cars. A most vexatious delay now occurred. The rail- 
way company had made us all sorts of promises, agreeing 
to have us away by 3:00 P. M., and into the city of Van- 
dalia within twenty-four hours. But, having gotten our 
money, little did they reck. We were delayed until nearly 
6:00 P. M., and did not arrive in Vandalia till some thirty- 
six hours later. During the delay, some very exciting in- 
cidents occurred. Some of the less " nervy " left the train 
and came up on later trains, but overtook us at Nashville, 
Tennessee. Klunker was reported to have been badly 
excited. 

The home-coming of the boys was marked with a joy 
and enthusiasm impossible to describe. The citizens of 
Fayette county had been kept constantly informed of our 
movements from the time we left Augusta. In conse- 
quence a great crowd of people from all parts of the 
county were in Vandalia to welcome the men home. Many 
of them had husbands, brothers or friends in the company 
who intensified the interest they felt. 

The emotions of the boys as the train whistled for 
the town from which they had marched away over a year 
before, pen could not convey. Tears of joy were near the 
surface and the heart throbbed painfully as they antici- 
pated the welcome of the great concourse of their patriotic 
and appreciative countrymen and greetings of the gray- 
haired fathers and mothers, the devoted wives and sweet- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 1 49 

hearts, the loving brothers and sisters, the affectionate 
friends and kindly neighbors. 

What they had anticipated was more than realized. 
The train was welcomed with a tremendous cheer and the 
lively joyous music of bands. The crush of the assembly 
forbade any formation of the company as was intended. 
The boys climbed down into the crowd and into the arms 
of their relatives and friends. In some the long pent up 
emotion swept away all barriers and expressed itself in 
sobs and tears. In others the warm fervent grasp of the 
hand, the quiet tear and the trembling lip betokened a heart 
too full for utterance. 

After long delay the boys were finally gotten into the 
Aragon hotel, where an elegant and sumptuous banquet was 
served. We almost felt that the testimonials of the appre- 
ciation and gratitude of the people were more than our 
humble services deserved. Little had we done, but we 
were received with all the grace, enthusiasm and devotion 
that could be extended the grizzled veterans of many a 
bloody field. As we sat and partook of the elegant viands, 
and received the gracious smiles and thoughtful attention 
of noble women and the prettiest girls in the country, we 
forgot our trials, disappointments and the monotony of 
camp life and felt that surely we had been more than repaid 
on that day for all that we had sacrificed. If Father Mc- 
Kinley had then and there appeared and called for volunt- 
eers to march into the infernal regions, every kicking, 
growling grumbler would have sworn his life away. With 
such noble, devoted, patriotic and beautiful women and 
girls as this country can boast, it is no wonder our soldiers 
can "lick " the world. They have both blood and inspira- 
tion. God bless the women of America, and particularly 
the women of Vandalia. 

After the banquet a recption was tendered in the 



I 50 HISTORY OF THE 

Armory hall. An eloquent, able and touching address of 
welcome was delivered by Hon. J. J. Brown, and was re- 
sponded to on behalf of the company by private George W. 
Cheeney. Other addresses were delivered by ex-Chaplain 

Todd and Rev. Ned , after which the meeting broke 

up in handshaking. Our deepest gratitude is extended to 
the people of Vandalia and Fayette county for the apprecai- 
tion and gratitude they so ably and substantially expressed. 

A reception and banquet under such circumstances in- 
volved much work and planning. The arrangements and 
their execution could not have been more perfect. Every 
want and expense of the boys was anticipated and met. 
Even passes over the Central R. R. were secured for them, 
and lodging at the hotels where it was made necessary. 
We venture to say that of all the receptions that have been 
tendered returning soldiers not one was more thoroughly 
enjoyed or enjoyable than the one given at Vandalia. Cit- 
izens of Vandalia, kindly accept our most sincere thanks 
and deepest gratitude. 

Boys, we have bade each other, as an organization, 
good-bye for ever. We were many times discouraged and 
weary of army life. But as the swift years roll away we 
will look back upon those months of association and ex- 
perience with pleasure and satisfaction not unmingled with 
tinges of regret. 

We will miss the camp fire chats, the stories, the 
songs and the dances. We will miss big, good-natured 
"Daddy Hammond," the humorous Goodie, the devilish 
Mabry, droll old Aderholt and Akeman, and last but by no 
means least, " brother Sam Houston." Yes, we will miss 
you each and all. But from the "gallery of memory " we 
trust that we may never be absent, and that each and 
every image will revive recollections dear and precious, if 
tinged with sadness. 



152 HISTORY OF THE 

ROSTER OF COMPANY I. 

Houston, S. S., Captain, Vandalia, 111., Commercial Trav- 
eler. 
Clayton, E. P., First Lieutenant, Vandalia, 111., molder. 
Stout, P. D., Second Lieutenant, Vandalia, 111., clerk. 

SERGEANTS. 

Adams, Thomas E., Vera, 111., Farmer. 

Lawler, J. F., Vandalia, 111., Butcher. 

Clark, Charles A., Vandalia, 111., Electrician; appointed 

Sergeant-Major Second Battalion, Fourth Illinois 

Volunteer Infantry, March 19, 1899. 
Hall, C. L., Vandalia, 111., clerk; died at Third Division 

Hospital, Seventh Army Corps, Camp Cuba Libre, 

Jacksonville, Florida, September 27, 1898, of typhoid 

fever. 
Pacatte, Frank, Vandalia, 111., Laborer. 
Jenkins, Ezra L., Vandalia, 111., Painter; reduced to ranks 

December 4, 1898. 
Hagy, James H., Vandalia, 111., Laundryman; enrolled as 

Private, mustered in as Corporal; appointed Sergeant 

Jan. 1, 1899. 
Smith, C. W., Brownstown, 111., Teacher; enrolled as 

Private, mustered in as Corporal, appointed Sergeant 

Jan. 1, 1899. 

CORPORALS. 

Brown, Lewis, Vandalia, 111., Laborer. 

Hammond, Harry, Vandalia, 111., Carpenter. 

Bullington, J. F., Vandalia, 111., Teacher; transferred to 

Second United States Volunteer Cavalry Sept. 8, 

1898. 
Curry, James T., Vandalia, 111., Wood-turner. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I 53 

Sweet, C. W., Yandalia, 111., Clerk; promoted from Private 

to Corporal Aug. !, 1898. 
Haughawort J. D., Vandalia, 111., Teacher; promoted from 

Private to Corporal Aug. 1, 1898. 
Hartman, F. O., Vandalia, 111., Tinner; promoted from 

Private to Corporal Aug. 1, 1898. 
Carter, Charles R., Vandalia, 111., Laborer; promoted from 

Private to Corporal Aug. 1, 1898. 
Sturgess, E. B., Vandalia. 111., student; mustered in June 

20, 1898; promoted from Private to Corporal Aug. 

1, 1898. 
Guinn, James O., Vandalia, 111., Student; mustered in June 

20, 1898; promoted from Private to Corporal Aug. 

1, 1898; discharged on disability at Jacksonville, 

Fla. , September 7, 1898. 
Mammen, Chas. A., Vera, 111., Carpenter, promoted from 

Private to Corporal Feb. 17, 1899. 
Moffett, Jesse, Clinton, 111., Locomotive Fireman, promot- 
ed from Private to Corporal Feb. 17, 1899. 
Short, John A., Avena, 111., Merchant, promoted from 

Private to Corporal, Apr. 20, 1899. 
Whitfort, Geo. D., St. Elmo, 111., Teacher, appointed 

Wagoner July 1, 1898; promoted to Corporal Apr. 

20, 1899. 
Brannon, Thos. J., Vandalia, 111., Laundryman, mustered 

in June 23, 1898; promoted from Private to Cor- 
poral Nov. 2, 1898. 

MUSICIANS. 

Boyer, Paul K., Vandalia, 111., Painter, sick in United 
States General Hospital, Newport News, Va., at 
date of muster out. 

McKnight, F. R., Ramsey, 111., Telegrapher. 



154 HISTORY OF THE 



ARTIFICERS. 

Manion, H. P., Vandalia, 111., Teacher, discharged Jan. 

28, 1899, from United States General Hospital, Ft. 

Monroe, Va. 
Johnson, F. A., Mulberry Grove, 111., Farmer, appointed 

as Artificer, Feb. 20, 1899. 

WAGONER. 

Foucht, W. A., Shobonier, 111., Teacher, appointed as 
Wagoner Apr. 18, 1899. 

PRIVATES. 

Figures following name indicate age. 

Akeman, Peter F. , Vandalia, 111., Farmer. 

Aderholt, Tilden, 24, Vernon, 111., farmer. 

Bailey, W. I., 30, Mulberry Grove, 111., laborer. 

Bingaman, George, 20, Vandalia, 111., clerk; discharged on 
disability, Aug. 27, 1898, Jacksonville, Fla. 

Bogardus, A. D., 18, Clinton, 111., carpenter. 

Bettner, E. J., 23, Vandalia, 111., printer. 

Bass, George W., 22, Watson, 111., farmer; mustered in 
June 20, 1898. 

Bolt, D. C., 22, Ramsey, 111., printer; mustered in June 
17, 1898; discharged Jan. 13, 1899, by order Sec- 
retary of W 7 ar. 

Bullington, F. C., 21, Vandalia, 111., teacher; mustered in 
June 18, 1898; discharged Jan. 31, 1899, from U. 
S. Gen. Hosp., Ft. Monroe, Va. 

Courtney, C. S., 25, Ramsey, 111., printer. 

Curry, Charles E. , 23, Vandalia, 111., laborer. 

Chandler, Roy, 20, Vandalia, 111., cigarmaker. 

Cheney, George, 23, Saybrook, 111., teacher. 

Cheney, W. H., 20, Saybrook, 111., student. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 155 

Cullom, Charles E., 18, Hagerstovvn, 111., student; mus- 
tered in June 18, 1898. 
Crowder, Charles E., 28, Vernon, 111., farmer. 
Dickson, Frank, 21, Ramsey, 111., law student; detailed as 

brigade clerk, Aug. 8, 1898. 
Dungey, Harry, 24, Winfield, Kan., hostler; discharged on 

disability, Aug. 27, 1898. 
Dennis, D. D. , 28, Chicago, 111., engineer, mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Danbury, W. L., 25, Vernon, 111., farmer; mustered in 

June 20, 1898. 
Fogler, R. C, 19, St. Elmo, 111., clerk. 
Fogler, H. S., 19, St. Elmo, 111., miller. 
Fleming, C. A., Mulberry Grove, 111., Farmer, mustered 

in June 18, 1898. 
Fellwock, Edward, Vandalia, 111., Painter, mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
German, Wm., Vandalia, III, Farmer. 
Gilbert, Wm., Chapin, 111., Farmer. 
Griffith, C. L., Vandalia, 111., Laborer. 
Handle, E., Vandalia, 111., Farmer. 
Handle, R., Vandalia, 111., Blacksmith. 
Hill, E. A., Dixon, 111., Farmer. 
Hill, Edward, Effingham, 111., Laborer, transferred to 

United States Hospital Corps Sept. 19, 1898. 
Hilton, I. N., Montrose, 111., Farmer, transferred from 

Company I to Company G, Dec. 28, 1898. 
Hollingshead, Jno. R., Vandalia, 111., Moulder. 
Homan, O. H., Lafayette, Ind., Clerk, 
Johnson, F. E., Vandalia, 111., Paper-maker. 
Kavanaugh, H. E., Springfield, 111., Lineman. 
Kimbro, Jesse, Smithboro, 111., Butcher. 
Kitchen, John W., Vandalia, 111., Brick-maker. 



156 HISTORY OF THE 

Klimper, Charles M., Ramsey, 111., Clerk; mustered injune 

17, 1898. 

Leonard, F., Carlyle, 111., Teamster. 

Luther, John F., Vandalia, 111., Farmer. 

Lawler, A. W., Vandalia, 111., Laborer; mustered in June 
23, 1898. 

Mabry, E. K., Altamont, 111., Student. 

McLaren, James B., Carlyle, 111., Laborer; died at Third 
Division Hospital, Seventh Army Corps, of typhoid 
fever, at Jacksonville, Fla., Oct., 27, 1898. 

Moore, Jno. H., Smithboro, 111., Farmer. 

Minor, Henry, Mulbery Grove, 111., Laborer; mustered in 
June 18, 1898. 

McKnight, C. W., Ramsey, 111., Operator; mustered in 
June 18, 1898. Transferred to United States Vol- 
unteer signal corps September 21, 1898. 

McKnight, Jas. A., New Philadelphia, Ohio, Miner; mus- 
tered in June 17, 1898. 

Newberry, Hugh, Knoxville, Tenn., Farmer. 

Oldham, Jas. E., Seneca, Mo., Laborer. 

Overleese, E. L. , Vera, 111., Farmer. 

Pantry, Thos. , Dexter, 111., Laborer; discharged in Cuba 
April 4, 1899. 

Paul, Baker, Petersburg, 111., Tinner. 

Pummill, L. E., Vera, 111, Farmer. 

Pollard, W. O., Vera, 111., Engineer. 

Pittman, D., Brownstown.Tll., Farmer. 

Perkins, J. W. , Mulbery Grove, Farmer; mustered in June 

18, 1898. 

Ryan, P. H., Watson, 111., Laborer; died at First Division 
Hospital Seventh Army Corps, of Malarial fever, 
Jacksonville, Fla., Oct. 27, 1898. 

Robinson, S. E., Patoka, 111., Teacher; mustered in June 
18, 1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 157 

Rutledge, J. O., Vandalia, 111. Teacher; mustered in June 
23, 1898. 

Surley, R. D., Vera, 111., Student; discharged march 15, 
1899, by order secretary of war. 

Sclichter, J. M., Carlyle, 111., Policeman; discharged Oct., 
18, 1898, through commanding officer Fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry. 

Sandy, Benj., Vandalia, 111., Laborer. 

Shuck, Jos., Shelbyville, 111., Barber; Transferred from 
Company I to Company E, Jan. 18, 1899. 

Smith, Herman, Farina, 111., Harness-maker; died at 
Third Division. Hospital Seventh Army Corps, Jack- 
sonville, Fla., typhoid fever, Sept. 23, 1898. 

Smith, Alma, 20, Brownstown, 111., Painter. 

Stewart, Thos. , 24, Vandalia, 111., Farmer. 

Snyder, L. F. , 28, Vandalia, 111., Railroader; mustered in 
June 20, 1898. 

Spraddling, F. E., 21, Mulberry Grove, Farmer; mustered 
in June 18, 1898. 

Snyder, Jno. I., 26, Vandalia, 111., Banker; mustered in 
June 20, 1898. 

Troyer, D. W., 24, Vera, 111., Stavejoiner. 

Tolbert, T. E., 23, Chapin, 111., Farmer. 

Toothaker, Chas., 26, Effingham, 111., Engineer; dis- 
charged Feb. 16, 1899, from U. S. General Hos- 
pital., Ft. Monroe, Va. 

Wilson, Henry, 21, Shobonier, 111., Teacher; discharged 
on disability, Dec. 3, 1898. 

Walker, Walter, 23, Smithboro, 111., Laborer. 

Wright, J. H., 21, Mulberry Grove, 111., Farmer; mustered 
in June 18, 1898. 

Washburn, A. L. , 28, Vandalia, 111., Jeweler; mustered in 
June 17, 1898. 



158 HISTORY OF THE 

Zimmerman, Elmer, 19, Vandalia, III., Student; mustered 
in June 20, 1898. 

Blackman, W. J., 21, Paris, 111., Clerk; transferred to U. 
S. Hosp. Corps, June 19, 1898. 

Hutchinson, M. A., 25, Mulberry Grove, 111., Laborer; 
transferred to U. S. Hosp. Corps, June 19, 1898. 

Wiley, Warren, 21, Paris, 111., Salesman; transferred to 
U. S. Hosp. Corps, June 19, 1898. 

All not otherwise distinguished were mustered in at Spring- 
field, 111., May 20, 1898. All not otherwise referred 
to as discharged were mustered out at Augusta, Ga., 
May 2, 1899. 



COMPANY K 



ALBERT OWEN SEAMAN. 

First Lieut. Albert Owen Seaman was born in Green- 
ville, Illinois, February 7, 1878, and lived there and at- 
tended school up to 1894, when he entered Western Mili- 
tary Academy, and attended there during that school year 
and was promoted to first sergeant and during the spring 
was placed in charge of the artillery section. The next 
year he attended Gem City Business College and graduated 
from there as an authorized expert accountant. At the 
first call for troops in 1898, he enlisted in the Fourth Illi- 
nois and was detailed as battalion sergeant-major First- 
Battalion, which position he held up to February 1st, when 
he was made second lieutenant of Company K, and o n 
March 1st he was made first lieutenant of the same com- 
pany and was mustered out with his company in Augusta, 
Georgia. 

During his time in the army he served on the provost 
guard under Major Harrison as quartermaster. 



PERLEY J. ROSE. 

On the 8th of June, 1878, the subject of this sketch, 
Perley J. Rose, was born; and if the future is to be judged 
by the past, his is the opening of a useful life. Having 
graduated from the High School of Litchfield, Illinois, with 
the class of 1896, he spent the school year of 1896 and 
1897 at DePaw University at Greencastle, Indiana. 



1 




CAPT. DAVID DAVIS. 




CAPT. G. L. ZINK 2D LIEUT. P. J. ROSE. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. l6l 

On September I, 1897, he was employed by the Big 
Four railroad as clerk and served in that capacity until 
April 26, 1898. Enlisted as second sergeant of Company 
K, Fourth Illinois National Guards, on the 20th of May, 
1898, and on March 18, 1899, was promoted to second 
lieutenant, serving his company as such until mustered out 
on the 2nd of May, 1899, not having reached his twenty- 
first year. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY K. 

Company K was the youngest company in the Illinois 
National Guard when the organization was called.to Spring- 
fieln in April, 1898. It was mustered into the state service 
at Litchfield, by Captain Ewert, on the evening of Febru- 
ary 18, just three days after the destruction of the Maine 
in Havana harbor. 

The first officers of the company were Capt. David 
Davis, First-Lieut. George L. Zink and Second-Lieut. 
William F. La Force, all of whom entered the service of 
the United States with the company. 

Loss by death: William D. Souter, of Green Cove 
Springs, Florida, who died of typhoid fever at his home in 
October, 1898; Charles S. Kingsbury, who died at Third 
Division Hospital, at Pananca Park, Florida, after a short 
attack of typhoid; and Corpl. Francis E. Green, who was 
drowned while bathing in a small stream near Camp Co- 
lumbia, Havana Province, Cuba. Souter is buried at 
Green Cove Springs, Florida; Kingsbury at his home in 
Greenville, Illinois; and Corporal Green is at rest in Elm- 
wood cemetery at Litchfield. 

Captain Davis resigned and left the service in Febru- 
ary, 1899, and Lieutenant La Force resigned a few days 





■■J*m 
-. ' 






^fH^pKl 



ijpai ySr.^ 






FOURTH ILLINOIS. 1 63 

later. Lieutenant Zink was made captain; Serg. A. Owen 
Seaman, first lieutenant, and Serg. Perley J. Rose, second 
lieutenant. 



ROSTER OF COMPANY K. 

Davis, David, Captain, Litchfield, 111.; resigned. 

Zink, George L., Captain, Litchfield, 111. 

LaForce, William F., First Lieutenant, Litchfield, 111. 

resigned. 
Seaman, A. Owen, First Lieutenant, Greenville, 111. 
Rose, Perley J., Second Lieutenant, Litchfield, 111. 

SERGEANTS. 

Simmons, Norton A., First, Litchfield, 111. 
Cripe, Osa, Quartermaster, Girard, 111. 
Foulk, Harry C. , Litchfield, 111. 
Schwartz, Adolphus A., Edwardsville, 111. 
Collins, Joseph U., Litchfield, 111. 
George, Robert J., Litchfield, 111. 
Farr, George R., Litchfield, 111. 

CORPORALS. 

Machler, Francis P., Litchfield, 111. 
Walters, Nim R., Donnellson, 111. 
Scherer, Luther H., Litchfield, 111. 
Beck, Henry M., Litchfield, 111. 
Stearns, Roy, Litchfield, 111. 
Hughes, Alfred, Taylorville, 111. 
McBrain, Leroy J., Litchfield, 111. 
Stone, Charles U., Middletown, 111. 
Towey, James K., Carlineville, 111. 



1 64 



HISTORY OF THE 



Lee, Robert E., Litchfield, 111. 
Grubbs, Harlan P., Litchfield, 111. 
Green, Francis E., Litchfield, 111. 
Cline, Cullen A., Litchfield, 111. 

MUSICIAN. 

Tromley, Glen E., Fairfield, 111. 

ARTIFICERS. 

Roberts, Richard E., Litchfield, 111. 
Huber, Charles W., Litchfield, 111. 

WAGONER. 

Smith, Horace, Litchfield, 111. 

PRIVATES. , 

Allen, Elmer E., Litchfield, 111. 
Baits, William D., Litchfield, 111. 
Boyd, Guss E., Litchfield, 111. 
Bailey, Allen W., Litchfield, 111. 
Bruce, John T., Litchfield, 111. 
Briggs, Charles W., Litchfield, 111. 
Burns, Francis M., Spring Valley, 111. 
Boatman, Jerry E., Carlineville, 111. 
Campbell, Gilbert, Litchfield, 111. 
Cave, ChaunceyL., Litchfield, 111. 
Cole, Frank O. 
Cole, Albert. 

Cox, William T., Litchfield, 111. 
Coffee, Ollie, Litchfield, III. 
Cripe, Asa., Girard, 111. 
Dalton, Lin L., Athens, 111. 
Ducrow, George, Irving, 111. 
Davis, Milton E., Hornsby, 111. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. l6$ 



Daub, Harmon, Effingham, 111. 
Ehrhard, Fred W., Litchfield, 111. 
Eichelroth, Henry W., Litchfield, 111. 
Edwards, Amos, Litchfield, 111. 
Edwards, John C, Jr., Litchfield, 111. 
Evans, John, Raymond, 111. 
Finley, William, Litchfield, 111. 
Ferguson, Charles E., Litchfield, 111. 
Froat, Joseph S., Litchfield, 111. 
Freelove, Frank, Litchfield, 111. 
Garrett, John T. , Greenville, 111. 
Guiser, James, Kinmundy, 111. 
Gable, Thomas H., Litchfield, 111. 
Harden, William J., New Belin, 111. 
Hartman, Amasa, Middletown, 111. 
Hutchins, Gilbert L., Fairfield, 111. 
Howey, Charles W. , Barnett, 111. 
Harbaugh, John J., Litchfield, 111. 
Hanney, James B., Spring Valley, 111. 
Herley, Charles, Irving, 111. 
Huber, Charles W., Litchfield, 111. 
Jones, Willis, Litchfield, 111. 
Lane, Pearl E. , Litchfield, 111. 
Mills, James R., Pana, 111. 
Moynihan, William H., Whitehall, 111. 
Martell, August, Alma, 111. 
Machler, Harry J., Litchfield, 111. 
Mays, Frank, Westfield, 111. 
Mercer, William L., Vera Park, 111. 
Marsh, Frank E., Wagoner, 111. 
Moran, Thomas J., Spring Valley, 111. 
Morlan, Hal J., Fairfield, 111. 
Moncravie, James, Irving, 111. 
Meyers, Edward F., Vandalia, 111. 



I 66 HISTORY OF THE 

s 

Niccum, Chip, Farmersville, 111. 
Nesse, Elliott, Springfield, Ohio. 
Newkirk, Cyrus, Effingham, 111. 
Nail, Charles E., Farmersville, 111. 
Owings, Albert C, Litchfield, 111. 
Potter, William, New Athens, 111. 
Pippin, James W., Vandalia, 111. 
Ritchhart, Charles, Middletown, 111. 
Ripley, Benjamin J., Wagoner, 111. 
Roberts, John E., Litchfield, 111. 
Robinson, William, Decatur, 111. 
Sanders, Edgar, Litchfield, 111. 
Schoof, Fritz, Litchfield, 111. 
Seymour, Bert, Waverly, 111. 
Spence, Charles H., Litchfield, 111. 
Stacey, Josiah, Cleveland, Ohio. 
Stevenson, William C, Columbus, Ind. 
Souter, William D., Jacksonville, Fla. 
Tuttle, Harry S., Litchfield, 111. 
Thole, Frank, Litchfield, 111. 
Taulbee, John W., Litchfield, 111. 
Tate, David L., Vandalia, 111. 
Wiley, John C, Girard, 111. 
Williams, Earl, Rockbridge, 111. 
Whiten ack, David, Litchfield, 111. 
Whitaker, Louis J., Litchfield, 111. 
Winningham, Claud, Meredosia, 111. 
Windsor, Franklin R. , Hornsby, 111. 
Zuber, Henry J., Litchfield, 111. 

The muster out roll of this company having been lost 
at Augusta, Georgia, by the aid of Captain Davis and 
others we have been enabled to prepare the above, which, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 167 

it is believed, contains the names of all who were con- 
nected with the organization during its service as United 
States Volunteers. Yet we were unable to ascertain who 
were discharged, reduced to ranks or when promoted. 



COMPANY B. 



E. W. HERSH. 

Capt. E. W. Hersh commanded Company B when 
it was mustered into the United States service, and 
continued in that capacity until March 18, 1899, when on 
account of continued ill health he resigned his commission 
and returned to his home. 

Captain Hersh was born at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Janu- 
ary 10, 1866, just when the smoke of battle was clearing 
away from over our lovely land, occasioned by the civil war. 

Removed with his parents to Defiance, Ohio, where 
the earlier years of his life were spent, and from the High 
schools of which city he graduated. He is also a graduate 
of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, being a 
member of the class of 1892. 

During the month of February, 1888, he located in 
Newton, Illinois, and took up the duties of a stenographer 
and law clerk, during which time also he applied himself 
to the stndy of law, and was admitted to the bar in the 
year 1891, when he entered upon the duties of this his 
chosen profession, in his adopted city of the ' ' sucker " state, 
where he still resides, holding the position of senior mem- 
ber of the firm of Hersh & Calvin, lawyers and financial 
agents. 



•v ■ 




C&raar&)± H^s/x 




C&j&+)k4% w*U^\ 




170 HISTORY OF THE 



W. A. HOWELL. 



Capt. W. A. Howell was born in Shawneetown, Illi- 
nois, February 18, 1875, and was educated in the public 
schools of that city. At the age of fourteen he left school 
and entered the office of the Gallatin Democrat, where he 
learned the printer's trade. He remained in this office 
until the fall of 1893, when he went to Evansville, where 
he worked at his trade until late in the winter, when he 
returned home, where he* remained until the following 
August, when he went to Newton to accept the position of 
foreman in the office of the Newton Press, which position 
he gave up to enter the service of his country. He became 
associated with the Illinois National Guard in June, 1895, 
as a private, was soon appointed corporal, and in May, 
1896, was appointed to sergeant, which position he held 
until February, 1897, when he was elected first lieutenant. 
When the call was issued for volunteers, April 26, 1898, he 
went with his company and was mustered into the volun- 
teer service as first lieutenant. When Captain Hersh 
resigned, to take effect March 18, 1899, Lieutenant Howell 
was, upon the recommendation of the colonel, appointed 
as his successor, which position he held until mustered out 
of the service, on May 2. 



LYMAN HARRIS. 

Lieut. Lyman Harris is a native of the little city of 
Newton, situated on the banks of Ambra river, where he 
was born. He enlisted as a private in Company B, Fourth 
Illinois National Guards, in March, 1893, and was elected 
second lieutenant of the company, May 27, 1895, and served 
in that rank in the Illinois National Guards during its his- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 17 I 

tory, taking part in the strikes service, encampments and 
other occasions when the regiment was called out. Was 
mustered into the United States volunteer service with the 
Third Battalion, holding the same rank until March 18, 
1899, when he was promoted to first lieutenant and worth- 
ily bore that rank until with the regiment he was mustered 
out of the service. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY B. 

While the history of this company is one pecularly its 
own, and somewhat checkered, yet perhaps in the main not 
differing greatly from that of some of its associates in the 
regiment of which it has been a component part during the 
great part of its history. 

Its organization as an Illinois National Guard was 
effected in Newton, Jasper county, Illinois, by the electing 
and commissioning of B. W. Harris as captain, David Trex- 
ler, first lieutenant, and E. B. Garrell, second lieutenant, 
and mustered into the Illinois National Guard service Jan- 
uary 15, 1 88 1, as Company B, of the Eighth Illinois, in 
which relation it continued until 1890, when the Eight regi- 
ment was changed to the Fourth, in which this company 
held its position during the remainder of its history in the 
National Guard service. By the following it will be seen 
that frequent changes took place in the commissioned offi- 
cers of this company during this period of its career: 

Capt. W. B. Harris commanded the company until 
September 1, 1888, when H. A. Faller was commissioned 
and took the place he vacated. The names of lieutenants 
holding commissions during the period above referred to, 
and date of their commission were not at hand when this 
volume went to press. E. W. Hersh was commissioned 



172 HISTORY OF THE 

second lieutenant March 15, 1889, and as first lieutenant 
June 26, 1 89 1, and as captain, taking the place of Capt. 
H. A. Faller, January 8, 1894. Lyman Harris was com- 
missioned second lieutenant May 27, 1895, and W. A. 
Howell as first lieutenant March 12, 1897, who was com- 
missioned captain, to take the place of Capt. E. W. Hersh, 
who resigned on account of ill health, March 18, 1899, and 
held the position until mustered out of the United States 
service May 2, 1899. 

As a part of the National Guard this company has no 
shame in confronting its record. Whether at the annual 
encampment or when called upon to maintain public peace 
and order, and the good name of our soldierly, warrior state. 
In this line of duty it took its place in the suppression and 
control of the railroad strike or "tie up" of East St. Louis, 
in 1887, also of the great Chicago strike in 1894, growing 
out of what is known as the Pullman strike, which resulted 
in -such great loss of property, and finally the proclamation 
of .President Cleveland, putting the city under martial law. 

The strain under which the people of the United 
States had been for months, because of increasing diploma- 
tic tension between this government and Spain, had not 
been without its effects on the men of this company, 
and in consequence thereof every reasonable effort was 
made, to have it as thoroughly fitted for an emergency as 
time would admit. Hence, when orders by wire from 
Governor Tanner reached Captain Hersh at 2 A. M. April 
25, 1898, to report with his company at Springfield, Illi- 
nois, immediately, its full meaning was comprehended and 
preparations for compliance therewith were carried forward 
with alacrity. This, coupled with the fact that the men 
had bivoucked in the armory for several nights, enabled 
the captain to have all in readiness within sixteen hours. In 
the evening the armojy was filled with friends, when Hon. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 173 

Hale Johnson, Judge Gibson and Reverend Johnson ad- 
dressed the company with words of council, encourage- 
ment and assurance of the good will of those from whom 
they were going out. About 10 P. M. we boarded the 
north bound train and moved out amid the good byes and 
farewell greetings of friends on our journey to the "hub of 
our state," where after some four hours delay on the route, 
we landed at noon on the 26th, thirty-two hours after the 
order was received from the Governor, ovations having 
been the order at every city passed through on the way. 

On arrival at Springfield we marched at once to the 
fair grounds, which was designated as Camp Tanner, where 
we were assigned quarters in one of the commodious cattle 
barns. 

Here began in true fashion our soldier experience, 
growing out of what seemed to be unavoidable causes, want 
of sufficient clothing and bedding to meet the raw chilly 
weather induced by the rains during this period. 

After weeks of anxious waiting, on the 17th of May we 
were ordered to the state house, where, under the skillful 
eye and trained mind of the examining board, under Sur- 
geon-General Sternberg, of the State Militia, we were 
passed through the ordeal of physical examination to deter- 
mine our fitness to meet the standard of a United States 
soldier. The maximum strength of the company in the 
National Guard being one hundred, and our company having 
been recruited to one hundred seventeen, gave us a neat 
surplus on which to work reductions. Three of these had 
been honorably discharged, still leaving one hundred four- 
teen men on the roll as state guards at this time. 

But as the companies in the new United States service 
were restricted to eighty-four men, we still had a surplus 
of men to return to the civil occupations of life. On the 
20th of May these eighty-four selected men took the oath as 



174 HISTORY OF THE 

United States soldiers, administered by Captain Roberts, of 
the regular cavalry, and were duly mustered into the United 
States service to be fully equipped and moved where they 
might render efficient aid in the conflict now being waged. 
Our equipment was not of the most modern, as we carried 
the Springfield rifle of the 1884 model, though by no means 
antiquated ordnance. The monotonous routine which had 
occupied us for the past four weeks did not continue much 
longer, for on the 25th of May, about 8 P. M., orders were 
received by the regiment to report at Tampa, Florida, 
immediately, which was welcome news to the boys, as was 
evidenced by their shouts that echoed through the entire 
camp. The following day our baggage was loaded and by 
4 P. M. all were aboard and the long ride to the southern 
land was begun, leaving camp, visiting friends we loved 
and scenes we had learned to detest, to joyfully speed on 
our mission of mercy. All went "merry as a marriage 
bell," every city through which we passed ovating the boys 
in blue. In this connection we may mention a coincidence, 
though carrying with it no import, that is: The officers of 
this company, on leaving Springfield, were assigned to a 
sleeper named Springfield, and on arrival at Jacksonville 
camped in one of its suburbs named Springfield. The new 
recruits to bring the company up to its full quota of qne 
hundred three enlisted men passed their physical examina- 
tion at Effingham and were sworn into the United States 
service at same place by Capt. H. S. Parker, regimental 
adjutant, on June 18th to 23d, and at once started for 
Camp Cuba Libra, the last of them reaching their destina- 
tion on the 26th of June. 

In giving the history of this company during its stay 
at Jacksonville, we enter upon the most important period 
of its career. Whatever the impression created by first 
observations, as to the desirability of our quarters in Camp 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 175 

Cuba Libre, our minds were fully disabused by the experi- 
ence of later days. We entered the camp in excellent 
health and buoyant spirits, and mantained it until the rainy 
season had so far progressed as to change the whole aspect 
of the camp. It was here that the seeds were sown broad- 
cast, that yielded their harvest of bitter fruits a little later 
on. The location of the third battalion was near depres- 
sions in the earth that filled with water from the heavy 
rains, making it the most undesirable as well as unhealthy 
portion of the entire camp, breeding malaria and fever 
under the hot tropical sun. While Company B had no 
general scourge of sickness in this camp, yet those who 
were affected became very sick, necessitating the best of 
care, which in order to render, hospitals were erected of 
temporary character and the proper nurses selected to give 
them the needed attention. To this most important and 
responsible duty George Anderson, and Eugene Files as 
assistant, were detailed, and took charge of the hospital, 
fitted up in this company, yet with the best of care that 
could be rendered, when the regiment was removed to the 
camp at Panama Park, in August, sickness had so increased 
in our ranks, that more than an ambulance load were un- 
able to get there without the aid of this excellent vehicle. 
But for the want of proper facilities to make them comfort- 
able in their new quarters, they necessarily had to submit 
to and share in the hardships that fell to the lot of the 
able bodied of the company. There were times when they 
had to lie in their tents in the full glare of the sun, while 
at others mo precaution would prevent the rain from satu- 
rating their beds by beating through the tents or blowing 
in around the sides. 

But no time was lost in getting up another company 
hospital, and into which our sick were at once moved, 
•while the best of care was rendered that circumstances 



1/6 HISTORY OF THE 

would admit. To the aid of the former appointment, 
George Anderson, re-christened by the boys "Major" 
Anderson, lent untiring assistance in the care of and minis- 
trations to the sick, — at times carrying his cot and blankets 
about when needed at night, and stealing what sleep he 
could under the circumstances. But it remained for the 
latter days of August to develop the awful scourge that 
was creeping upon us in this climate and unhealthful camp, 
and which continued until the company seemed on the 
verge of being wrecked. So general was the demoraliza- 
tion, that from the middle of August until the company 
entered upon provost duty in the city of Jacksonville, 
it had only thirty-two men out of one hundred and two 
that were considered really fit for duty. And during 
these weeks of suffering the men able for duty were placed 
on guard one day and the next on " fatigue." It was dur- 
ing this time, also, that General Alger, secretary of war, 
paid a visit to Camp Cuba Libre, and, in the grand review 
that was held in his honor, this company, whose record 
was among the best, could only place twenty-six men in 
the line who were at all able to participate, and among 
these were the guards, and even the cook, who had been 
ordered to clean up and aid in swelling the numbers to 
their largest proportions. At other times, in division re- 
views, as few as thirteen men, including the guide, could 
take part, and he the right guide, at that. The same 
could be truthfully stated as to the daily dress parades in 
which the company took part. 

During our sojourn in camp "Cuba Libre" the boys 
of the company conceived the idea of surprising their cap- 
tain, and accordingly a fine sword was purchased, and on or 
about the ist of September, Captain Hersh was duly made 
the recipient of the same, as a mark of respect from the 
men of his command. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 177 

It was while at this camp our company was detailed 
on special duty for nine days, that of patrol guard in the 
country, a duty in which they acquitted themselves so well 
as to win the unstinted commendation of their colonel as 
well also that of Brigadier-General Bancroft. But the 
rainy season came upon us and we were compelled to suffer 
many discomforts on account of it. Not the least among 
them that of the camps being covered several times with 
water reaching a depth of three feet between Company's B 
and K and the place where they assembled to partake of 
hash, over which they constructed a rustic bridge of poles. 
With the other companies of the regiment we were sent to* 
Panama Park, where during our stay we had the experience 
of sickness, which so sorely afflicted us, at times so deplet- 
ing our ranks as to unfit us for our part in the regular duties 
in the camp. It was during this time we lost comrade 
Charles V. Stark, the only death that occurred during our 
term of service. 

During these sore straits through which we were 
called upon to pass, it was thought wise and best to re- 
move as far as possible the convalescing from the discour- 
aging scenes and conditions, and accordingly ten men from 
our ranks were granted sick furloughs, and sent to their 
homes. Reaching Newton, our home town, Ed Albright, 
Ed Arnold and Lowell Houchin were found still unable to 
get off the train, and, consequently, were carried by gentle 
hands to their homes for kindly care and tender nursing. 

But, by experience or otherwise, level heads were led 
to believe that a change from these environments and con- 
ditions to that of the city would be beneficial to the better- 
ing of conditions, which seemed to linger and cling with 
unrelenting grasp, and accordingly we, with our regiment, 
were ordered on provost duty, and transferred to the city 
under the command of Maj. Russel B. Harrison, provost 



I78 HISTORY OF THE 

marshal. The rapid change to good health, which soon 
set in, proved the wisdom of the change, for almost from 
the beginning a perceptible improvement took place, and 
continued until the company reached a standard of health 
which was never lost or even lowered. Hence with the re- 
turn of our wanted health and vigor there was a correspond- 
ing return to the depleted ranks, until the incomers from 
furloughs brought our line up very near to its former 
strength, reaching ninety-five, while some had been granted 
discharges as further unfit for duty or more needed at home. 
But with a few absent on leave and one in the division 
hospital, we were only able to line up with eighty-six men 
fit for duty. 

Meantime we were sent to Savannah, Georgia, to con- 
tinue provost duty after the "well done" fashion of our 
work on this line in Jacksonville. It was here, on Thanks- 
giving day, we had the expressed opinion of the surgeon 
that we were in better health than any company in the reg- 
iment, while our ranks were not surpassed as to fullness. 

Our location at Thunderbolt, in a sense, detached us 
from our regimental headquarters, and necessarily from 
certain advantages enjoyed by other companies. Under 
these conditions, with the experience of the past lingering 
in our minds, it was thought, not only prudent but wise, to 
be ready for any emergency that might arise similar to that 
of our Panama Park experience. Therefore " Major" An- 
derson, who was still company nurse, and had to a very 
great extent those matters in charge, seen to it that an 
emergency supply of medicine was at hand, and accord- 
ingly he was furnished with no stinted amount of such 
remedies as the wisdom of the surgeons suggested as proper, 
and especially since he had proven himself competent to 
handle them. After our location here, for a week or two 
one of the regimental surgeons made a daily visit to the 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 179 

camp, but as he discovered the qualifications of our nurse 
to handle simple remedies and the ability of the men to 
care for their health, he lessened his visits, trusting to our 
" Major " for the daily sick report, as well as other details 
in connection with the work in hand. 

From this point we were ordered to report to Major 
Russel B. Harrison for provost duty in the city of Jackson- 
ville, a change that proved very conducive to the health 
of the company. 

In this duty Company B was assigned to district num- 
ber five with company quarters at foot of Ocean street, 
while its headquarters were in the third story of the Mo- 
hawk building on Bay street. 

This work came to a close on the 21st of October, 
when at 12:30 P. M. we started with our battalion for 
Savannah, Georgia, to follow the same line of duty in that 
city, when we located at Thunderbolt, a suburb, some four 
miles out, and connected by electric railway. At this place 
are the docks of the oyster growers and fisheries, and quite 
a resort. 

Arriving after dark, we had little regard for regulations 
in pitching tents, leaving all the finer details of engineer- 
ing for a time more suitable for seeing the point — i. e., the 
point of the compass, and allignment of tent poles. But 
on the morn the finer details were looked after and the 
work of cleaning and beautifying was carried forward until 
our camp, located in a beautiful grove, overlooking War- 
saw Sound, being thirty feet above it, became the pride of 
the one thousand villagers who occupy the homes at this 
point. The conduct of the company was such as to win 
their good will to the extent that they seemed to think 
they had a kind of claim on us, often referring to as " their 
soldiers." Nor were they slack in doing all that was reas- 
onable to increase our comfort and happiness. To the 



l80 - HISTORY OF THE 

point we look back and see one of the brightest oases in all 
our army experiences, and one that sank deep, i. e., into 
our stomachs, making some lasting impressions on our 
minds, perhaps on account of the radical contrast between 
common army grub and the delicacies prepared by the 
deft hands of fair ladies. This very exceptional experience 
occurred on the 24th of November, Thanksgiving Day, 
when about twenty ladies of Savannah besieged our camp 
with well laden baskets of turkey and other rich viands, 
with which they loaded a long table in our company street 
and invited us to partake to our hearts content, while they 
untiringly served. 

To say we did true soldierly justice on this occasion is 
putting it as mildly as truth will admit, for our very " teeth 
had been fairly made to water," as the delicate odor came 
from the company cook tent, which the ladies had captured 
for putting the finishing touches on some of the dainties, 
while our eyes fairly danced at the profusion that was 
crowning the table. No we will never forget that 
day unless it be when we gather our feet with those of 
loved ones under some well laden table in our own far 
away home land. True we bestowed our gratitude in 
lavish measure in return, and also about all the badges 
possessed by the company, on these fair ones who had the 
courage to undertake the capture of our camp. While 
Company B generally regards the days spent at Panama 
Park as their darkest, they are equally unanimous in pro- 
nouncing these of provost duty at Thunderbolt as those 
amongst the brightest and happiest of their army experi- 
ence. But such conditions too long enjoyed might not 
prove conducive to good soldiery, therefore on the second 
day of December the authorities over us ordered the sec- 
ond battalion into camp southeast of the city, and Com- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



pany B found itself again facing the routine duties of a 
military camp. 

From here on the 3d of January, 1899, we embarked 
on the Mobile and sailed for Cuba with our regiment, and 
camped six miles northwest of Havana, near the sea coast, 
where, as a part of the army of occupation we did the work 
assigned us, as well as do our part in the capture of 
souvenirs, to bear home as trophies of our service. Dur- 
ing our stay in Cuba, March 18, Capt. E. W. Hersh, on ac- 
count of ill health, felt constrained to resign his position, 
which action was accepted by the war department, and he 
was released from the command of his company; the va- 
cancy thus caused was filled by the appointing and com- 
missioning of our young and popular first lieutenant, W. 
A. Howell, which gave place for the advance of another 
very worthy young man, Lyman Harris, who was regularly 
promoted to rank of first lieutenant and Sergeant Fred S. 
Barker, whose career proved his fitness, was commissioned 
and inducted into the office of second lieutenant. Tuesday, 
April 4, at 9:30 A. M., our battalion was ordered to em- 
bark for its return to the states, following the first which 
had just left camp, an order that required no official coer- 
cion on the part of Company B to have it executed, for 
soon we were on our "march to the sea," through clouds 
of limestone dust, at times obscuring the men six feet away, 
while the sun poured his rays upon us at the rate of ninety 
^degrees in the shade. While the city of Havana, whose 
streets we must traverse some two miles, was more free 
from dust, yet their narrow limits and cobble-stone pave- 
ments were a doubtful improvement, at least as to temp- 
erature, still the farewells in broken English that came 
from Cubans as we passed, was construed as of most kindly 
feelings toward the departing American soldiers. Five o'clock 
finds us on the San Jose docks, watching the retreating 



I 82 HISTORY OF THE 

tugs that bore the first battalion to its boat at anchor in 
the bay. Before sunset we were outside the harbor in 
conformity to harbor laws, comfortably located aboard the 
Yarmouth, which after receiving her cargo outside the bay 
at 8 o'clock began the journey to the states, reaching Mul- 
let Key, twenty-five miles off Port Tampa, at sundown on 
the 5th and anchored for the night, which was a boon to 
the seasick soldier. On the morning of the 6th the Whit- 
ney came up in her creeping movement bringing the First 
Battalion Regimental Band and staff, having been out- 
stripped some sixteen hours by our noble ship. About 
dark of the 6th inst., Company B was taken ashore on 
Egmont Key, the government quarantine station, near our 
stopping place of the evening before, and with Company D 
entered the tents in detention camp, which were in waiting 
for us. 

On the morning of the 7th we were visited with a 
heavy rain and wind storm, which soon proved that while 
we were favored above others in not having to erect tents, 
we were "out of luck " in having tents through which the 
rain sifted under the pressure of the strong wind, wetting 
the floors until we could scarcely find a spot on which to 
lay our blankets. Under such circumstances, cooking out 
of doors was almost out of the question, hence meals were 
almost conspicuous for their absence. But our commissary- 
sergeant deserves great credit for the manner in which he 
met these difficulties, although he could not entirely coun- 
teract them. All and in all, our stay on this island was 
anything but desirable, and consequently we hailed with 
no little degree of pleasure the early dawn of Monday, the 
10th, when we boarded the little bay steamer, with the 
other company's band and regimental officers, and hastened 
away for Port Tampa, where by 4 P. M., we were pulling 
out on the third section of the train for Savannah, Georgia, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



183 



from which an order, received on the way, turned us to the 
camps lying near Augusta, Georgia, adding another disap- 
pointment to the many preceding, and surely if we had 
been a camel this would have come near breaking our 
strong backbone. But we endured it all, and landed in 
Camp McKenzie, west of Augusta, about 4 P. M. of the 1 ith 
of April, and were highly pleased with accommodations 
that awaited in this well-fitted camp. 

A. W. Cone was detailed as one of the regimental 
clerks, in which capacity he served several months during 
the period we spent in Florida; and was again detailed on 
same duty for some weeks while in Camp Columbia, Cuba, 
and when not thus on detailed duty he acted in the capacity 
of company clerk. Private C. H. Beggs was detailed 
along with others from the regiment, to clear off and con- 
struct a rifle range for the practice of marksmanship. But 
during his first day's service he met with a painful accident, 
having his shoulder dislocated and collar bone broken by a 
falling tree. To fill the vacancy on the force caused by 
this mishap, C. S. Goff was put in his place, putting in 
faithful time from June 27 until July 25, 1898, only relin- 
quishing his job when it became his duty to go on patrol 
guard, and that only two days before the range was com- 
pleted. Only one detail from our regiment were privileged 
to use it. The men of this detail were taken a limited 
number from each company. One of the detail from this 
company was Jerry Allen, who won the laurels over all 
competitors by making the highest score up to that date, 
breaking all records in the Seventh Army Corps, thus car- 
rying off the championship with a score of eighty-five points 
out of a possible hundred. Private Boggs was also placed 
on the permanent detail of Major Harrison during the entire 
time of our service on provost duty in Florida. During 
our sojourn in the island another of our privates was hon- 



1 84 HISTORY OF THE 

ored by being permanently detailed. This time it fell to 
the lot of Ira Hickson to go on Major Harrison's force of 
provost guards, in which capacity he served so faithfully 
and well as to receive from the major a recommendation 
for good character and gentlemanly conduct. Dave Adams, 
another private, was placed on duty with the signal corps, 
and while this term of service was brief, yet it was at a 
time when the duties were numerous and demanded heavy 
outlays of energy and effort, it being near the time of our 
departure for Cuba. On the ist of January, 1899, Private 
Clinton Gibson was permanently detailed to guard duty at 
First Division headquarters, and served in that capacity 
until called back to the regiment on the 4th of March, in 
order to accompany his comrades to the point of muster 
out. It was his to win the distinction over his comrades 
of being the first man of the company to set his foot on 
Cuban soil. And as the men of ' this regiment were 
accustomed to good bread, it was well to have some one 
look after that interest who understood this branch of the 
culinary art, and accordingly Private Neal Weeks was de- 
tailed to the regimental bakery and given the honored 
position of chief baker. G. W. Boggs also had the pleas- 
ure of serving in this branch of the service while in Cuba. 
From this it will be seen that the make-up of Company B 
was of the stuff that can be relied upon in the hour of need, 
and only desired the privilege of giving evidence as a body 
of their courage and ability in the many arduous duties 
that fall to the soldier's lot on the field of carnage. 

During the trying illness of Corporal Hinman from 
typhoid fever, while it raged as an epidemic in our camp 
at Panama Park, Private W. E. McClure, by consent of 
his captain, volunteered to nurse him, and at once repaired 
to the third division hospital, where his patient awaited his 
arrival. Another incident, illustrating his self-sacrificing 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 1 85 

spirit, occurred during our sty in Cuba, as reported by the 
Times of Cuba, a Havana daily: "Tuesday morning, 
while bathing near the railroad bridge east of Marianao, a 
member of the Fourth Virginia Regiment had a narrow 
escape from drowning, and was saved by one of his com- 
panions, William McClure, of Company B, of the Fourth 
Illinois. A good-sized party was in the water when one of 
them, whose name we were unable to learn, was seized 
with cramps and became entirely helpless. McClure, who 
is a fine swimmer, went to the rescue of the drowning man, 
and, after a hard struggle, he swam with the limp body a 
distance of more than twenty-five feet into shallow water. 
McClure was almost exhausted from the tremendous efforts 
made to save his comrade, and it is fortunate that the dis- 
tance from shore was no greater, as in that case possibly 
both would have been lost. After reaching shore, strong 
hands carried the nearly drowned man to camp, where he 
speedily recovered from the cramps that almost cost him 
his life." 

The health record of Company B during the occupancy 
of Cuba, was not second to any in the regiment; but hav- 
ing the smallest number on the sick report rather placed it 
at the head of the line in this respect. This perhaps could 
be accounted for, at least in part, from the aversion of our 
men to being on the sick roll and that of having a medical 
adviser of some competency in their ranks, as well as the 
belief in, and living up to it, that it was better to take 
medicine to avert disease than to cure it. Thus having the 
remedies and the man at hand to administer them, those 
reporting to the regimental hospital were very few. And 
it is but just to say here, that this man, Geo. Anderson, 
whose labors were so untiring and valuable in his company, 
was an humble private, who declined an unsolicited trans- 
fer from his camp to the First Division Hospital in the 



1 86 HISTORY OF THE 

island, when promotion to rank for efficiency was awaiting 
him, preferring to remain with those to whom he had min- 
istered and with whom he had passed through the dark 
days of affliction at Panama Park. 

Only one death occurred in this company during the 
entire time it was in the service of the United States. This 
was Charles V. Starks, who died September 3, 1898, at 
the Third Division Hospital in Camp Cuba Libre. 

Nothing out of the ordinary occurred during our stay 
in Camp McKenzie, which had any special reference to this 
company, except that on the 16th of April, seven privates 
and three corporals were detailed on provost duty in the 
city of Augusta, from which they were relieved on the 27th, 
giving them time to perpare for the muster out. On the 
22d of the same month, the date on which the Third Geor- 
gia volunteers were mustered out, Captain Howell, with 
one sergeant, two corporals and twenty-five men, was de- 
tailed by Colonel Swift to act as provost guard in their 
camp, during the confusion attendant on getting out of 
the service. 

Our last duty in the line of service was performed on 
the 28th of May, when we turned in the last of our ord- 
nance, consisting of guns, belts and bayonets, to the United 
States arsenal located at this place. 



COMPANY B ROSTER. 

Those not otherwise mentioned were mustered in at 
Springfield, Ills., and mustered out at Augusta, Ga. 

William A. Howell, Captain, Newton, 111. 
Lyman Harris, First Lieutenant, Newton, 111. 
Fred S. Barker, Second Lieutenant, Newton. 111. 



I 88 HISTORY OF THE 

SERGEANTS. 

Powell, Robert L., 21, Newton, 111., Clerk. 
Crail, George W., 25, Newton, 111., Pharmacist. 
Webb, Sidney A., 25, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
McKinnan Wm., 28, Newton, 111., Hostler. 
Hester, Bert, 24, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Robuck, Hi B., 22, Newton, 111., Tinner. 

CORPORALS. 

Brooks, Bernie, 20, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Dowell, Harry C, 19, Willow Hill, 111., Laborer. 
Hinman, Batson, 19, Newton, 111., Clerk. 
Hubbard, Charles, 24, Newton, 111., Barber. 
Parr, Jesse F., 24, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Bruner, Otto, 21, Newton, 111., Farmer. 
Moshenrose, Paul, 18, Newton, 111., Farmer. 
Houchin, Lowell, 19, Newton, 111., School-teacher. 
Richardson, Ulysses E., 25, Lovington, 111., Farmer. 
Rentz, Joseph, 21, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Cone, Artemus W., 25, Lovington, 111., Book-keeper. 

MUSICIANS. 

Hoggard, Harry, 18, Lovington, 111., Printer. 
Arms, David, 24, Newton, 111., Farmer. 

WAGONER. 

Upton, Albertus, 33, Newton, 111., Wagon-maker. 

ARTIFICER. 

Theriac, Raymond, 20, Newton, 111., Carpenter. 

COOK. 

Huss, Xavier, 20, Newton, 111., Clerk. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. I 89 



PRIVATES. 

Anderson, George A., 24, Willow Hill, 111., Barber. 

Albright, Edward, 23, Newton, 111., Tinner. 

Allen, Jerry L. , 21, Oblong, 111., Farmer. 

Adams, David M., 21, Rosedale, 111., Telegrapher. 

Bright, Charles, 25, Greenville, 111., Laborer. 

Badger, Omer R., 21, Gila, 111., Farmer. 

Bowers, Elmer, 27, Lovington, 111., Farmer. 

Bever, Guy, 21, Newton, 111., Laborer. 

Boggs, Charles, 21, Newton, 111., Farmer. 

Beeman, Everet, 27, Hunt City, 111., Carpenter. 

Beeman, Harry, 18, Hunt City, 111., Laborer. 

Chapman, Otis F. , 22, Yale, 111., Farmer; mustered in June 

18, 1898. 
Chittenden, Bert, 18, Newton, 111., Student; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Cooper, James, 22, Willow Hill, 111., Laborer. 
Coursey, Thomas M., 29, Willow Hill, 111., Stavecutter. 
De Frain, Jesse M., 20, Bogota, 111., Farmer; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Downey, Henson B., 41, Colfax, III., Laborer; mustered 

in June 23, 1898. 
Downey, Wesley W. , 28, Colfax, 111., Brickmason. 
Ertell, Charles W., 26. Newton, 111., Coal Miner. 
Earnest, James K., 21, Falmouth, 111., Farmer. 
Ederer, John P., 23, St. Marie, 111., Laborer. 
Faller, Benard H., 23, Newton, 111., Clerk. 
Gleeson, John, 21, St. Marie, 111., Farmer. 
Gibson, Clinton, 22, Bass, 111., Farmer. 
Goff, Charles S., 21, Flat Rock, 111., Farmer. 
Hepner, Alba, 24, Pleasant Point, 111., Farmer. 
Huron, Nelson, 22, Newton, 111., Farmer. 



I90 HISTORY OF THE 

Hickox, Ira, 19, Yale, 111., Farmer; mustered in June 18, 

1898. 
Hampsten, Albert T., 21, Yale, 111., Farmer; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Johnson, Warren B., 32, Bogota, 111., Farmer. 
Jourdan, Elbert, 20, Newton, 111., Farmer. 
Lewis, Edward H., 42, Newton, 111., Painter. 
Mathews, James, 23, Newton, 111., Farmer. 
McColly, William, 21, Quincy, 111., Lawyer. 
Mills, Noah O., 19, Yale, 111., Farmer; mustered in June 18, 

1898. 
McClure, William, 29, Villas, 111., Farmer. 
Needham, William, 18, Yale, 111., Laborer; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Nelson, Frank J., 19, Newton, 111., Farmer; mustered in 

June 23, 1898. 
Ostendorf, Joseph, 19, Newton, 111., Engineer. 
Odell, Benjamin F., 22, Yale, 111., Farmer; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Parr, Harry, 18, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Ping, Roy, 21, Falmouth, 111., Farmer. 
Phillips, Wendall, 20, Newton, 111., Farmer. 
Parr, Charles, 21, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Payne, Fred, 26, Newton, 111., Laborer. 
Raley, Walter, 19, Bradfordsville, 111., Farmer. 
Schneider, Julius, 19, St. Marie, 111., Farmer. 
Storer, Joseph W., 22, Newton, 111., Clerk. 
Smith, Walter, 23, Oblong, 111., Printer; mustered in June 

18, 1898. 
Sheets, Elmer, 22, Oblong, 111., Operator; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Smith, Otto, 21, Oblong, 111., Printer; mustered in June 

18. 1808. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. l 9 l 

Selby, Joseph B., 24, Newton, 111., Clerk, mustered in June 

23, 1898. 
Threasher, Louis, 21, Hunt City, III, Farmer; mustered 

in June 18, 1898. 
Tripp, George W., 21, Newton, 111., Coal Miner. 
Umsted, Heber, 18, Newton, 111., Plasterer; mustered in 

June 18, 1898. 
Vanderhoff, John Q., 18, Newton, 111., Farmer. 
Van Volkenburgh, Ruben B., 34, Hamilton, Mo., Printer. 
Wagy, Charles, 25, West Liberty, 111., Miller. 
Weeks, Cornelius, 27, Comettsville, Ind., Baker. 
Watwood, Charles, 31. Lovington, III, Barber. 
Yelvengton, Calvin, 21, Newton, III, Laborer. 

RESIGNED. 

Hersh, Elijah W., 32, Newton, III, Lawyer; resignation 
accepted March 18, 1899. 

DISCHARGED. 
SERGEANTS. 

Barker, Fred S., 21, Newton, III, Clerk; to accept com- 
mission in company March 17 1899. 

Carrick, Thomas W., 30, Newton, III, Real Estate; dis- 
charged Aug. 24, 1898, for disability. 

CORPORALS. 

Johnson, Wm. F., 30, Newton III, Lawyer; discharged 
Feb. 10, 1899. 

PRIVATES. 

Hewett, Frank, 27, Lexington, III, Plasterer; discharged 
Sept. 12, 1898, for disability. 

Hampsten, Charles, 22, Palmersburg, III, Farmer; dis- 
charged Oct. 17, 1898, for disability. 



192 HISTORY OF THE 

McKnight, John, 33, Ramsey, 111., Musician; discharged 
Oct. 28, 1898, for disability. 

Gregory, Lyman S., 39, Lovington, 111., Physician; mus- 
tered in June 18, 1898, discharged Oct. 18, 1898. 

Arnold, Eugene, 18, Newton, 111., Student; discharged Dec. 
19, 1898. 

Weeks, Calvin T., 25, Deitrich,Ill., Real Estate; mustered 
in June 23, 1898, discharged Dec. 19, 1898. 

Comstock, Charles M., 20, Yale, 111., Clerk; discharged 
Dec. 7, 1898, mustered in June 18, 1898. 

Epperson, Otis C, 21, Montrose, 111., Blacksmith; dis- 
charged Dec. 9, 1898. 

Tiles, Eugene H., 21, Bone Gap, Farmer; mustered in 
June 18, 1898. discharged Dec. 18, 1898. 

Kent, John F., 23, Robinson, 111., Farmer; discharged 
Dec. 19, 1898. 

Riley, Ora I., 21, Gila, 111., Barber; discharged Dec. 27, 
1898. 

Jones, Paul, 24, Zenith, 111., Teamster; discharged Dec. 
29, 1898. 

Hammer, Wm. C, 24, Rose Hill, 111., Lawyer; discharged 
Feb. 10, 1899. 

Massey, Romeo, 26, Newton, 111., Engineer; discharged 
Feb. 24, 1899. 

Arnold, Edward, 20, Newton, 111., School Teacher; dis- 
charged March 9, 1899. 

TRANSFERRED FROM COMPANY B. 

Syas, John F., 21, Paris, 111., Student; transferred to 

Hospital Corps, June 10, 1898. 
Burton, Charles O., 24, Falmouth, 111., Nurse; transferred 

to Hospital Corps, June 10, 1898. 
Little, Charles E., 24, Westborough, 111., Wagonmaker; 

transferred to Hospital Corps, June 10, 1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 193 

Bishop, Ora A., Corporal, 31, Mattoon, 111., Telegrapher; 

transferred to Signal Corps, Sept. 8, 1898. 
Portlock, Jefferson, 19, Falmouth, Farmer; transferred to 

Hospital Corps, Nov. 28, 1898. 

DIED. , 

Stark, Charles V., 21, Newton, 111., Farmer; died at Third 
Division Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla. 




MAJOR E. E. ELLIOTT, COMMANDING 3D BATTALION. 



THIRD BATTALION, 



LOUIS B. WASHBURN. 

Louis B Washburn was born at Platteville, Wiscon- 
sin January 24, 1872. He secured his literary education 
at the State Normal School of his native town. He moved 
to Vandalia, Illinois, where he applied himself to the study 
of law in the office of S. A. Prater, during the years of 
1 894 to 1898, while he was official court reporter in the 
Seventh and Fifth judicial circuits of Illinois He was 
admitted to the Bar in November, 1896, which he makes 
his business in civil life. On July 26, 1890, he joined 
Company I, Fourth Illinois National Guards, as a private 
and served in this capacity and as a non-commissioned 
officer until July 6, 1896, when he was commissioned as 
adjutant of the Second Battalion, with the rank of first 
lieutenant, under Major McWilliams. 

On the election of E. E. Elliott to the position of 
major of the Third Battalion, he was commissioned adju- 
tant of that battalion. He was mustered into the United 
States volunteer service with the Fourth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and during his service in this capacity he acted 
as regimental ordnance officer, and for a long period served 
as regimental adjutant and as regimental commissary. 
After the muster out of the regiment he returned to the 
historic city of his adoption, and resumed the practice of 
law. 



COMPANY M. 



WILLIAM R. COURTNEY. 

Capt. William R. Courtney, of Company M, was born 
in the city of Urbana, Illinois, November 7, 1861, spent 
the years from 1866 to 1873 on a farm in Howard town- 
ship, Champaign county, Illinois, when he returned to 
Urbana, where he has resided since. 

He enlisted in Company D, Eighth Infantry, Illinois 
National Guard, May 11, 1885. On July 15, 1886, he was 
appointed corporal, raised to sergeant March 26, 1888, and 
to first sergeant July 23d of the same year, serving in this 
capacity to March n, 1890, when he was commissioned 
second lieutenant, holding this rank until March 21, 1891, 
when he was duly commissioned as captain of his com- 
pany, which rank he held during all the transfers and 
changes through which his company passed until it became 
Company M, of the Fourth Illinois National Guard. 

When the call to arms from the president brought the 
companies of the Fourth Illinois National Guard together 
at Springfield, he was the senior line officer in the regiment. 
He continued in command of his company during its serv- 
ice as United States volunteers, and was mustered out with 
it at Augusta, Georgia, May 2, 1899. 



ARTHUR W. SMITH. 

Lieut. Arthur W. Smith was born in Urbana, the site 
of the University of Illinois, September 22, 1875. He gave 
much of the time of his youth and early manhood to secur- 




CAPT. W. R. COURTNEY 




1ST LIEUT. A. W. SMITH. 2D LIEUT. F. E. THOMPSON. 



198 HISTORY OF THE 

ing an education, and in June, 1895, enlisted in the Na- 
tional Guards as a member of Company M, which is the 
child of the twin cities, Champaign and Urbana. In Jan- 
uary, 1896, he was made a corporal of his company and in 
August of the same year was promoted to a sergeant, filling 
this position until April, 1897, when another advance 
awaited him, and he was again promoted, this time to the 
rank of second lieutenant. 

But the rapid steps with which he had reached this 
rank, were not to end here, and accordingly in May of the 
same year, only one month later, he was promoted to the 
rank of first lieutenant, and with his company was mustered 
into the United States service, in which he bore this rank 
with credit to date of mustering out of the regiment, May 
2, 1899. 



FRED E. THOMPSON. 

Fred E. Thompson was born on the 25th of October, 
1875, on a fruit farm near Urbana, Illinois, and until his 
sixteenth year, lived and worked upon the farm. 

His father, James G. Thompson, was a veteran of the 
war of the Rebellion, having served three years in the Sev- 
enty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers. He died in 1892, 
after which Fred and his mother moved to Urbana, where 
they have resided ever since. 

In 1892 he was apprenticed to a carpenter to learn 
the trade, at which he has worked for several years during 
the summer months, and attended the High School during 
the winter. 

In 1893 he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Illinois 
National Guard, which is now Company M, Fourth Illinois 
National Guard, and has been in the company since that 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 1 99" 

time. He saw his first active service during the strikes of 
1894, his company being sent to Danville, Illinois, where 
it remained fifteen days on duty. 

In 1897 he entered the Champaign Business College, 
and on the 26th of April, 1897, or on the day his company 
was ordered to report at Springfield for duty, he graduated 
from that institution, and received his diploma. 

His enlistment having expired during the winter, he 
re-enlisted just before the call for volunteers came and 
went to Springfield as a sergeant. On the 4th of May, 
1898, he was elected second lieutenant of Company M, and 
was mustered into the United States service as such on the 
20th of May, 1898. He served with his company through 
the Spanish-American war in Cuba, and was mustered out 
of the service in Augusta, Georgia, on the 2nd of May, 
180Q. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY M. 

One of the oldest, if not the ranking company in the 
organization of which it forms a part, is Company M, hav- 
ing been organized July 2, 1877, and attached to the Ninth 
Battalion, Illinois National Guards, being known by the 
name of Champaign Rifle Guards. Soon after its organiza- 
tion it was transferred to the Eighth regiment, then to the 
Fourth and later to the Fifth and finally in 1 896 it was trans- 
fered back to the Fourth, where it has since been permitted 
peaceably to remain. Prior to its last transfer to the Fourth, 
it was known as Company D, but wears with equally as 
much grace the letter found a little farther down the line. 
The first commander of the company was Captain J. W. 
Langley, followed in the order here given, by the persons 
named: J. A. Monroe, J. R. Trevett, H. W. Mahan, A. T. 



200 HISTORY OF THE 

Engle and W. R. Courtney, who still holds that commis- 
sion. 

With these have been associated during these years, 
the following who held the rank of First Lieutenant: J. A. 
Monroe, John Van Arman, H. W. Mahan, J. W. Haines, 
M. E. Chase, C. C. Mittendorf, W. S. Rayburn, T. A. 
Holt, Ray Brown, W. A. Watson, W. A. Brown, M. J. 
Myers, J. P. Prather and A. W. Smith. Along with these 
were the following Second Lieutenants: E. T. Whitcomb, 
H. W. Mahan, ]. A. Miller, J. W. Haines, M. E. Chase, 
A. C. Wilcox, C. C. Mittendorf, W. S. Rayburn, T. A. 
Holt, W. R. Courtney, Ray Brown, A. J. Hampton, W. 
A. Brown, M. J. Myers, J. R. Prather, E. B. Ellis and 
F. E. Thompson. 

During the great railroad strikes of 1894 this company, 
which was then Company D, of the Fifth, spent fifteen days 
in state service at Danville. 

During the winter of 1897, when the country was at a 
fever heat over the prospect of war with an eastern neigh- 
born, and the call for volunteers was daily expected, the 
membership of this company increased rapidly, until the 
fifty or thereabout had swelled to one hundred and three 
brave-hearted men, while many, equally as loyal, had to be 
turned away. 

On the 26th of April, that which we had longed and 
hoped for came in the form of an order from the governor 
to report at Springfield for duty on the following day. All 
was excitement while the armory was being dismantled, 
and everything belonging to the state as equipment was 
being packed ready for shipment, to be turned in to the 
state authorities at Springfield. Notice was given for all 
members to be on hand early on the morning of the 27th, 
and they began gathering the few articles allowed to a sol- 
dier, and prepare for the adieu to friends. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 201 

Scarce had the dawn began to streak the eastern sky- 
when compliance with the notice was evidenced by the in- 
coming and assembling of the men at the armory, and so 
eager were they for the start that long before the hour for 
the train's departure knapsacks, rifles and other accoutre- 
ments were in place on sturdy shoulders, ready for the start. 
Meantime relatives, friends, and it seemed about all the in- 
habitants of the twin cities had gathered, and were throng- 
ing the streets leading from the armory to the depot, until 
they seemed a seething mass of human beings, all desirous 
of bidding what might be the last good-bye to some of Com- 
pany M. 

Headed by the band of Uniform Rank, K. of P., and 
the G. A. R., we marched to the train which was in wait- 
ing for us and which we soon boarded, conscious that many 
sad hearts realized we were not booked for a holiday out- 
ing, but the serious business of war. Dread thoughts of 
what might be, involuntarily found a resting place in many 
minds, for it could scarcely be thought that all would re- 
turn to share in the glad welcome that would be in long 
preparation. It was a day that has left its lasting impress 
on the minds of the boys of Company M. 

Our train pulled out of the railroad yards amid the 
deafening roar of cannon, shrill whistles, silver-chiming 
bells and the shouts and cheers of the assembled throng, 
while we bid farewell to home and friends, for to us an in- 
definate time; some forever. 

Reaching Springfield without accident, we marched to 
the state fair grounds where we were allotted one half of a 
cattle barn for our camp quarters. And as the sheds were 
new they truly made us an excellent barracks. While for 
a kitchen and dining hall we used the pig pens, which filled 
the bill admirably since they also were new. 



202 HISTORY OF THE 

Thus we were gently making the transition from well 
equipped homes to what commonly falls to the soldier's lot. 

During the one month we spent in Camp Tanner it 
seemed to rain almost constantly, while the weather in gen- 
eral was of a cold disagreeable type, which was another de- 
gree in our initiation into the realities of army life. Our 
time in camp, not only between showers, was mostly occu- 
pied in drilling the new recruits, and taking almost daily 
an afternoon practice march of from five to ten miles, 
which from the blisters on our feet seemed like doing pen- 
ance for having committed the sin of being awkward, ignor- 
ant civilians. But what seemed to be so great a hardship at 
first was doing its work of hardening, toughening our brawn 
for our coming duties. Along with • this came the careful 
physical examination which was to determine who were fit 
for enlistment in the United States service. Only eight of 
one hundred and three failed to meet the requirements, 
thus necessitating their return home, which* was a sore dis- 
appointment. While on the morning of May 20, about 10 
o'clock, every man of the company who had filled the bill 
in the examination, was formed in line and marched over 
near the regimental headquarters where a platform had 
been erected, before which we were halted and with un- 
covered heads and our strong right hands lifted toward 
heaven, we stood waiting the moment that would complete 
our muster in. 

Nor was it a tedious suspense, for exactly at 10:20 
Capt. C. S. Roberts, of the Seventeenth United States In- 
fantry, took his place on the platform and administered the 
oath that placed us in the United States service for two 
years, unless sooner discharged. Having at last attained 
the happy position of United States soldiers, the question 
soon arose, when shall we leave Camp Tanner? But this 
was settled five days later on the morning of May 25, when 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 203 

about 6 o'clock orders were received to put everything in 
readiness for a move to Tampa, Florida, by the next morn- 
ing. This was the news we were awaiting, for it meant we 
were soon to see Santiago, and the camp rang with hearty 
cheers, followed by the hustle that attends the new soldier 
on packing up for a move. All were up at the sound of 
reveille the next morning and ready for breakfast, after 
which our quarters were thoroughly policed and at 10 
o'clock we began our march to the train awaiting us on the 
siding of the C. & A., near the fair ground entrance, where 
the tedious wait of five hours was endured, when at 3 P. 
M. we ate our first travel ration and soon bid farewell to 
Camp Tanner and were off for the south land, making a 
brief halt in the capital city. At every station on our route 
great crowds of people had assembled with flowers and nice 
things to eat — the girls especially were there looking for a 
button or something else as a souvenir and to arrange for 
correspondence with a soldier. The boys of Company M 
were not napping, but were on the alert for souvenirs, also, 
and when we arrived at our destination there were enough 
hat pins and ladies' neckties in the company for all the 
girls in Florida. Sleep was almost a stranger to us the 
first night, although we had the best of Pullman sleepers. 
At St. Louis we were run onto the Illinois Central tracks 
and we were carried by that company until 6 P. M. the 
next day, when at Holly Springs, Mississippi, we were 
transferred to the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham. 
At 8 o'clock the next morning we arrived at Birmingham, 
Alabama. Here we were transferred to the Central of Geor- 
gia and took our first ride behind a wood-burning engine. 
At 3:10 that afternoon we arrived at the union depot at Al- 
bany, Georgia, a place long to be remembered by the boys. 
The citizens of that town, like a great many others, were 
anxious to do something to benefit the soldiers and they 



204 HISTORY OF THE 

did it. All along the platform were barrels of lemonade, 
ladies were there by the dozens with cigars, cigarettes, chew- 
ing gum, tobacco and a great many other things. These 
were a great treat as we had not had a pay day yet. Com- 
pany M was never known in a case of that kind to decline; 
so they were well supplied when they left Albany at 5 
o'clock. We arrived at Columbus, Georgia, where orders 
were received to report at Jacksonville, Florida, instead of 
Tampa. This was not well received by the company for it 
was ominous of what we did not desire — continued camp 
life. 

At 2 A. M. Sunday, May 29, we arrived at our new 
destination, and after a brief stop in the city our train was 
run out to what was called Camp " Cuba Libre," not im- 
properly named, either. After breakfast that morning we 
left the train, and went into camp among the tall pines to 
realize a beautiful southern day, but O! how very warm 
compared with the cool breezes of our north land. It was 
often said that the first day in Florida was the hottest we 
experienced while in the service. But soon our tents were 
up, and many of the boys stretched themselves out in the 
shade for a rest, being tired from the long ride, while 
others sought a bath in the St. Johns river, while a few 
went to the city. The first night the entire company was 
placed on guard duty. Everything went well while in 
camp, there being very little sickness in the company. 
June 21 we received two hundred dollars from Hon. F. B. 
Carson, United States Internal Revenue Agent; this was a 
loan until we got a pay day, but the next day was pay day 
and all were made happy. June 22 twenty-five recruits 
arrived from home, raising the company to one hundred 
and six men; three were transferred to the hospital corps 
during the month of June. July 5 the company was pres- 
ent at the first review of the Seventh Army Corps, which 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 205 

was held in the city of Jacksonville. After marching down 
to the city and forming for the review it began to rain, and 
kept this up until the next day. On our return to camp at 
6 o'clock supper was found ready, and had been for some 
time, needing only to be put on the tables, where the rain, 
which came through the roof of pine needles, soon satu- 
rated everything, cooling the coffee and giving to the food 
a taste of pine tar. Our clothing was soaked, and but few 
of the boys had a change at that time, compelling them to 
sleep in what they had on, while the tents, being old, leaked 
badly, making the night as uncomfortable as could be. At 
the lower end of the company street, where the ground was 
quite low, the water began to back up into the tents during 
the night and the boys had to move out. The next morn- 
ing water was from eighteen to twenty-eight inches deep 
in the three last tents, while in a small ravine between the 
company street and the mess hall water was waist deep. 
During the day the boys of Companies M and H, being 
close neighbors, built a corduroy bridge over two hundred 
feet long across this ravine, working in water waist deep. 
In three days this water had all disappeared in the sand, 
and everything went on as before. 

It fell to Company M to bear the honor of being the 
first company in the regiment to be chosen as provost 
guards, and on July 18 they were ordered to move to the 
city the following day. This news was received with cheers, 
as it would be a change of life. Early the next morning 
everything was packed that we would need while gone, and 
other articles were stored in one tent and a guard left 
over them. At 8 o'clock we marched from camp at a port 
arms amid the deafening cheers of hundreds. We went 
into camp just opposite Seventh Army Corps headquarters, 
where we remained ten days, July 21 being our first day 



106 HISTORY "i tin- 

.i-, provosl guard ■. and it was one "I the days long to be 
remembered 1>\ the boys <>i ( ompany M. 

During our short sta) we won the hearts ol the citizens 
ol [ax, and especially of the young ladies. But we were pei 
mitted to remain on provosl duty onl} ten days, as it seemed 
the) wished to divide this only good thing the} had, around, 
giving .ill .1 small slice, and accordingly we were marched 
bat k to camp Cuba I ibre, and entered again into the old 
camp life, dail) drill, dress parade and fatigue duties too 
numerous to mention. August to, we moved to what aftei 
ward proved to be flu- fever stricken Panama Park, for im- 
mediatel} upon oui arrival there the boys began to gel sick 
and were scut to the hospital until there were only a few 
men able for duty, even the officers were all sick and it 
looked as though Compan} M had seen better days else- 
where At 8:50 on the evening of September 2 !,occuri ed the 
death ol Private Percy N little. Although it was known 
earl} m tin- evening tlut In- could not live, yet tin' news ol 
his death came as .1 shock to the company, for he was a 
good soldiei and loved by .ill tin- members of the company. 

At s A M next morning, September 23, while arrange- 
ments were being made for the funeral of Comrade Tittle, 
the company was again shocked by tin- news ol the death 
ot Private Herman E. McFarland. 

Hence arrangements were made tor a double funeral, 
which was held on tin- following i\a\ . ami the remains of 
Comrade rittle were shipped to his home at Arcanum, 
Ohio, ami those of (.'01111.1111- McFarland to Mendon, Illi- 
nois. Soon after this, on October 4, occurred the death of 
Private George rurner, which was the third and last death 
m tins company, His remains were sent north and buried 

at Mahomet, Illinois. 

Shortly after these sad occurrences, Company M was 
moved to the city of Jacksonville to again enter upon 



FOURTH 11 I [NOIS. 



pr0 vost guard duty, and were camped at Provost Station 

No ,. where it remained a little more than a week, when 

Lt W a S moved to Station No. , in the central pari o f the 

whereyery good quarters were furnished ma build ng. 

On October 16, 1898, Captain Courtney and Lieuten- 
ant Thompson, who had been sick, were granted leave of 

absence to return home and recuperate, while on the th 
of the same month Company M bid farewell to their friends 
and the city of Jacksonville, Florida, and moved to Sa- 
vannah, Georgia, and wenl into camp at Provost Station 
No 5 at Collinsville, a suburb ol that city. It was there 
tha t the boys enjoyed the best time while in the service 
for they soon became acquainted with both young and old 
of the vicinity and were invited out to suppers and enter 
t ai nme nts nearly every evening. While here a cake walk 
w-s given by the members of the company one evening, 
un Vr the electric light in a corner ol the camp, and fully 
one hundred men, women and children were present and a 

hada'g I time. Thanksgiving, 1898, was a day that will 

neve r be forgotten by the boys oi Company M. [t would 
take entirely too much space to begin to describe the din 
1UM we sat down to that day. After dinner army wagons 
were brought into use and the young ladies who had been 
so kind to us were given a ride. December 6th the com 
pany moved into camp at Camp Onward, and again began 
Srill and dress parade, which lasted until January 3, 1 899. 
when Company M, with the rest of the regiment, embarked 

o n the United States transport Mobile for the long desired 

island of Tuba. % 

Early on that morning the city friends of Company M 
were assembled at the river docks, awaiting our -arrival, 
which was not until about 9:00 A. M., to bid us farewell, 
for at least a short time. About m:o^ o'clock the trans- 
port with the aid of a tug, began to move toward the 



208 



HISTORY OF THE 



great Atlantic, while whistles blew, bells rang and as long 
as we were in sight, the people with tears in almost every 
eye waved a farwell. Just fifty-one hours later, with two 
bands playing the "Star Spangled Banner" and two thou- 
sand five hundred soldiers standing on deck with uncovered 
heads, the Mobile entered Havana harbor, passing Morro 
Castle, the armored cruiser Brooklyn, the battleship Texas 




MOBILE ENTERING HAVANA HARBOR. 

and the wreck of the Maine, having made a distance of 
eight hundred and fifty-five miles without having passed 
through a station or stopped for water, finishing a trip that 
we will not soon forget. 

Our stay in Cuba was well spent and enjoyed by all, 
there being but little sickness or anything else to mar our 
comfort. The company made two practice marches to 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 209 

Guines while in the island, the first with the Third Bat- 
talion, under command of Major Elliott, and the second 
with the First Brigade, under Brigadier-General Douglas, 
the distance being about thirty-five miles from Havana. 
We camped near Havana harbor a day on the return. 
From the first march the boys of this company had the 
name of being explorers, and nothing ever went by with a 
mystery that they did not solve. This time they went 
down under the fifteen feet of water in Havana harbor, 
where the Spanish had thrown car-loads of ammunition rath- 
er than have it fall into the hands of the Americans. Here 
the boys secured all the relics they desired, in the line of 
Spanish ammunition, in the shape of large shells and other 
munitions of war, which proved to be quite valuable on our 
return to the United States. On the second march we 
were camped two days at the foot of a mountain, where 
Company M boys were the first ones in the regiment to 
discover swarms of bees and secure their honey, which was 
a great treat to us at that time. They also were the first 
to discover a large cave near the top of the mountain, and 
after discovering it they must explore it. It proved to be 
about eight feet in diameter, extending some forty feet 
perpendicularly in the mountain, and increasing in its di- 
mensions so far as it could be explored. They secured a 
large rope and tied one end around one of their venture- 
some companions, and lowered him into this grewsome 
pit. Having descended some twenty feet, his eye caught 
sight of a huge snake in a crevice of the wall, and it took 
but a moment to decide what to do. Lowering another 
rope with a noose in one end, which was fixed so the snake 
would have to crawl into it in coming from the wall, with 
some dry grass and a match, a smoke was started, which 
soon proved too much for his snakeship, and he readily be- 
came a captive to Yankee ingenuity and push. It proved 

14 



2IO HISTORY OF THE 

to be a species of the boa constrictor, measuring eleven 
feet and seven inches in length. Several others of the 
same kind, though not so large, were captured and brought 
back with the regiment. 

On April 11, thirty-two members of the company 
made application through proper military channels for a 
discharge from the service, and three hours afterward an 
order was received discharging them. At 11:30 o'clock 
that night, orders were received to return the company to 
the United States for muster out. This was the news the 
boys had been waiting for and it was well received, and no 
more slumber was indulged in that night by members of 
this company, and by 6 A. M., of the 12th, everything was 
packed, tents down and all ready for the wagon train, which 
arrived a few minutes later. Very soon all of our belong- 
ings were aboard, and Company M was again ready to bid 
adieu to another camp and its surroundings, and truly the 
most beautiful of all our camps was this ' ' Camp Columbia. " 

A march of about one-quarter of a mile brought us to 
Buena Vista, where we boarded a special train for Havana, 
where on leaving the train we started on our last march in 
Cuba, viz. : From the depot to the wharf of Havana har- 
bor, on arriving at which a rest of an hour was taken, after 
which we were taken by a small United States quarter- 
master's boat out near the wreck of the Maine, where we 
boarded the United States Mail Steamship Whitney about 
noon. All afternoon we lay in the harbor waiting for the 
baggage, etc., to be loaded and a few minutes before the 
sun went down the Whitney began to move in the direction 
of the sea, while all were on deck to witness, for us, the 
last sunset and other scenes about this historic city and 
harbor. We encountered a rough sea, and sea sickness 
was the common thing on board our ship. 

As morning dawned we were in sight of Key West, but 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 211 

throughout the remainder of the day no land was visible. 
About ii P. M. the boat began going around in a circle, 
which movement she kept up until morning, when we 
found ourselves near a small island, and in a short space of 
time were treading its sandy surface, and learned we were 
on Egmont Key, United States detention camp, where we 
remained three days. No sickness developing we were allowed 
to go on our way, and boarding the Plant steamer Margaret 
at 9 A. M., we arrived at Port Tampa at noon, and all were 
glad to once more plant their feet on United States soil, where 
everything seemed so different; rations tasted better and 
everything was better in general, and all were well pleased. 
We remained here until 3:30 P. M., when we went on 
board a special tfain over the Plant System railroad, and 
journeyed over a country we had never seen, and after a 
good night's rest we awoke next morning to find ourselves 
still in Florida, but soon to pass over the line into Georgia, 
and a little later to find ourselves near the city limits of 
Savannah. Here the company met with one of its great- 
est disappointments, when the word went from ear to ear 
that we would not get to stop in that city, but must enter 
camp at Augusta, farther up the river. 

Soon the officers were taken down to the city in a 
special car that they might get something to satisfy their 
hunger. But there were hungry boys, also, and a great 
manv of them started through the drizzling rain in the 
direction of the city in quest of something their appetites 
craved, and the consequence was that five of them were 
left in Savannah, but reached the company during the 
night while on the siding near Augusta, Georgia, where we 
had arrived at 6 P. M., April 18. As it was quite late, we 
remained on the train until the next morning, when we 
went into camp once more in the United States. The 
boys were made happy at noon by a message stating that 



2 12 HISTORY OF THE 

the Hon. T. B. Carson, United States internal revenue 
agent of New York, would arrive during the day, and, as he 
had been like a father to the company during their former 
stay in the United States camps, and had always seen that 
they did not want for anything he could furnish. When 
he drove into camp that afternoon, all the boys were eager 
to get to shake hands with him first. But another happy 
surprise awaited us the day following, in the announcement 
that our battalion, the Third, would be mustered out with 
the regiment on the 2d of May, an event we could scarcely 
hope for, since the First and Second Battalions had been, 
at work on their books preparing for this event for near 
two weeks prior to our arrival. These days soon sped by, 
not being burdened much with guard and other camp duties, 
and we enjoyed ourselves by seeing the officers and clerks 
sweltering over their final reports and muster-put rolls and 
in our trips to the city. 

May 2d at last arrived and the muster out was done in 
a few minutes, every man receiving an honorable discharge. 
The baggage had been checked early in the morning and 
the company was mustered out at 10:30 A. M., being in the 
service just one year and one week to the hour and minute. 
After the muster out all left camp as citizens once more. 
The company left Augusta on a special train at 4:20 P. M. 
and arrived at Atlanta next morning, where we took break- 
fast, reaching Chattanooga for dinner and Nashville for 
supper. This was the last opportunity we had of taking 
a meal until we arrived at home on the 5th, at 2:20 P. M. 
At Mattoon we were met by a committee representing the 
citizens of Champaign and Urbana, who explained clearly 
the fact that a good dinner awaited us and that the people 
expected a parade. It did't take a lot of hungry soldiers 
long to decide the proper order of things would be dinner 
first and parade afterward. While time was beginning to 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 213 

lag at this switch end of the trip, yet it was not long after 
the plans were agreed upon until the shrill notes of the 
whistle notified us that the home station was at hand. 

As we passed through the Illinois Central yards all the 
whistles in the city began to blow and all the bells began 
to ring a welcome home coming. The boys had gotten 
their hand baggage ready, and as many as the small space 
would admit of, had taken their places on the steps, mak- 
ing all the haste possible to again stand on home territory. 
When the train came to a halt, it was apparent that one 
thousand two hundred people had gathered to join in one 
glad welcome, while two bands were discoursing music, 
and the Sons of Veterans fired a salute with shotguns. 
Along with all this the secret orders and the Champaign 
Fire Department were there in full uniform, expressive of 
gratitude at the safe return of those who had gone forth to 
lay their lives on the altar of their country. 

Through the surging crowd could be seen fathers, 
mothers, brothers and sisters crowding their way to press a 
kiss on one whose absence for a year had strengthened the 
tie of kindred love. Sweethearts and friends were there 
also, and such a glorious welcome will hardly be given Ad- 
miral Dewey on his return from glorious victories in a 
distant land. 

After doing soldierly justice to a good dinner, a line of 
parade was formed on Main street, and a line of march 
was taken up including the principal streets of the city, 
preceded by the Champaign Fire Department, Grand 
Army of the Republic, Sons of Veterans and all the secret 
societies of the twin cities. After marching through the 
principal streets in Champaign, the march was started to 
Urbana. Arriving there in front of the court house, two 
short addresses of welcome were made by Col. J. S. Wolfe, 
of Champaign, and Judge F. M. Wright, of Urbana. After 



214 HISTORY OF THE 

this the company was allowed to go home or wherever 
they wished. Receptions, balls and entertainments were 
given in honor of Company M every evening for over a week 
afterward. The citizens of the twin cities and the mem- 
bers of Company M will long remember April 27, 1898, 
and May 5, 1899. 



COMPANY M ROSTER. 

Where not otherwise designated, the members of this 
company were mustered into the United States service on 
the 20th day of May, 1898, at Springfield, 111., and mus- 
tered out at Augusta, Ga., May 2, 1899. 

William R. Courtney, Captain, Urbana, 111. 
Arthur W. Smith, First Lieutenant, Urbana, 111. 
Fred E. Thompson, Second Lieutenant, Urbana, 111. 

sergeants. 

Doty, George E., First Sergeant, Champaign, 111. 

Ellis, Edwin B., Quartermaster Sergeant, Champaign, 111. ; 
mustered in June 20, 1898; made Corporal July 4, 
1898; made Quartermaster Sergeant Sept. 1, 1898. 

Teeple, Wallace D., Maringo, 111. 

Frazee, John W., Champaign, 111. 

Neville, Charles W., Urbana, 111. 

CORPORALS. 

Driskille, Frank K., Champaign, 111. ; reduced to ranks June 

21, 1898; appointed Corporal July 4, 1898. 
Hendricks, AndrewJ., Urbana, 111. 
Willskey, Lewis C, Champaign, 111. 
Edwards, Henry R. , Urbana, 111.; made Corporal July 4, 



2I 6 HISTORY OF THE 

Patten, William G., Urbana, 111.; appointed Quartermas- 
ter Sergeant June i, 1898; reduced to Corporal 
Sept. 1, 1898. 

Golden, Cecil L., Urbana, 111.; made Corporal Dec. 1, 
1898. 

ARTIFICER. 

Railsback, Bert; made Artificer, Dec. I, 1898. 

MUSICIANS. 

Edwards, Ellwood, Urbana, 111. 
Fletcher, Clarence A., Pesotum, 111. 

PRIVATES. 

Anderson, Oliver E., Homer, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Buchanan, Samuel A., Urbana, 111, 
Bundy, Herman W., Tolono, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Crabtree, Arthur O., Urbana, 111. 
Creech, William J., Urbana, 111. 
Cusick, Thomas O., Homer, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Duncan, Ora M., Urbana, 111. 
Ensley, Sheldon D., Champaign, 111. 
Eldridge, Jerry N., Champaign, 111. 
Everman, James A., Urbana, 111. 
Flatt, Ira J. W. , Champaign, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Gates, Frank E.. Seymour, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Gilkey, Edward C, Portland, Me. 

Gray, Leone S., Homer, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Holden, Alexander E., Hope, Ind. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 217 

Harris, Roy, Danville, 111. 

Jewell, Frank, Tuscola, 111. 

Jewell, Fred N., Tuscola, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 

Jamison, Ira T. , Homer, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 

Kirby, Francis M., Urbana, 111. 

Lacy, Hubert V., Homer, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 

McCloud, Fred., Cook, Urbana, 111. 

McQuay, Fred, Champaign, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Moon, Orris E. , Champaign, 111. 
Moore, Charles L. , Tolono, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Mitchell, Joseph H., Urbana, 111. 
Morrow, Clarence G., Urbana, 111. 
Norton, Joseph G., Champaign, 111. 
Oneil, Barney, Champaign, 111. 
Park, Andrew H., South Chicago, 111. 
Priley, Fred, Urbana, 111. 

Sands, Richard E., Tolono, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Schilling, Walter H., Urbana, 111. 
Stockwill, John W., Urbana, 111. 
Stockwill, Nathaniel P., Urbana, 111. 
Voight, Harry M., Champaign, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Zanos, Edward, Urbana, 111. 

DISCHARGED. 

Hawker, Frank A., Linden, Ind., First Sergeant; appointed 
Corporal July 4, 1898; appointed Sergeant Dec. 1, 
1898; appointed First Sergeant Dec. 1, 1898; dis- 
charged April 10, 1899. 

Courtney, Albert M., Urbana, 111., Sergt. ; discharged Nov. 
3, 1898. 



2l8 HISTORY OF THE 

Hays, Fred H., Urbana, 111., Corporal; discharged April 

10, 1899. 
Ekbom, Albert R., Champaign, 111., Corporal; discharged 

Feb. 9, 1899. 
Fox, Charles S., Saybrook, 111., made Corporal July 4, 

1898; discharged April 4, 1899. 
Russell, Edward T., Champaign, 111., made Corporal July 

4, 1898; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Stockwill, Willie V., Urbana, 111., appointed Corporal 

July 4, 1898; discharged Dec. 24, 1898, on account 

of physicial disability. 
Baker, Loein C, Champaign, 111., made Corporal March 

21, 1899; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Mason, Charles E., Urbana, 111., Artificer; discharged Oct. 

18, 1898. 
Brownfield, McClelland, Salem, 111., Wagoner; discharged 

March 30, 1899. 
Amerhein, Charles B., Rantool, 111.; discharged April 10, 

1899. 
Blanchard, Arthur S., Urbana, 111.; discharged Sept. 5, 

1898, for disability. 
Cady, Frederick R., Urbana, 111.; discharged April 10, 

1899. 
Campbell, Matthew, Urbana, 111.; discharged April 10, 

1899. 
Corbin, William A., Owensburg, Ind. ; discharged Sept. 

25, 1898, on disability. 
Carson, Lewis P., Rantool, 111.; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Choat, Sidney G., Monmouth, 111.; discharged April 4, 

1899. 
Dahlenburg, William, Urbana, 111.; discharged April 10, 

1899. 
Davis, Harry J., Champaign, 111.; discharged Jan. 14, 

1899. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 219 

Dorr, Thomas C, Urbana, 111.; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Durand, Rolland D., Chicago, 111.; discharged April 10, 

1899. 
Dollinger, Hubert H., Champaign, 111.; mustered in June 

20, 1898, discharged April 10, 1899. 
Eldridge, Calmer, Champaign, 111., mustered in June 20 

1898; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Fisher, Charles P., Charleston, 111.; mustered in June 20 

1898, discharged April 10, 1899. 
Gordon, Charles C, Mayview, 111.; mustered in June 20 

1898; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Havens, Charles H., Champaign, 111.; mustered in June 20 

1898; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Hodge, Edward F., Urbana, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898 

discharged April 10, 1899. 
Johnson, Elmer H. , Urbana, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1 898 

discharged March 7, 1899. 
Lake, Edward H., Bondville, 111. ; discharged April 10, 1899 
McAuley, Joseph H., Champaign, 111.; discharged April 10 

1899. 
Maguire, Morley, Hamilton, Mo. ; discharged April 10, 1899 
Moore, Walter A., Champaign, 111.; discharged April 10 

1899. 
Moore, Clarence A., Champaign, 111.; discharged April 10 

1899. 
Moore, Thomas W., Roanoke, Va. ; discharged April 4 

1899. 
Myers, Willis I., Champaign, 111.; discharged April 10 

1899. 
Powell, Harry A., Champaign, 111.; discharged Aug. 29 

1898, on disability. 
Pattengale, John T., Champaign, 111. ; discharged April 10 



2 20 HISTORY OF THE 

Snyder, William O. , Urbana, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1 898 ; 

discharged April 10, 1889. 
Small, William S., Farmland, Ind. ; discharged April 10, 

1898. 
Satterwhite, William P., Urbana, 111.; discharged Sept. 5, 

1898, on disability. 
Stonebruner, Clarence M., Champaign, 111.; mustered in 

June 20, 1898; discharged Nov. 20, 1898, on disa- 
bility. 
Stevens, John J., Urbana, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898; 

discharged April 10, 1899. 
Robins, Earle E., Champaign, 111.; discharged March 29, 

1899. 
Wilson, Ira L., Lebanon, Ind. 

Wollarn, Ira, Owensburg, Ind.; discharged April 10, 1899. 
Yount, John H., May view, 111.; discharged September 5, 

1898, on disability. 

TRANSFERS. 

McCoole, Claud S., Cleutons Heights, Kan.; transfered to 

Hospital Corps June 10, 1898. 
Perry Geo. G., Urbana, 111.; transfered to Hospital Corps 

June 10, 1898. 
Musgrave, Andrew, transfered to Hospital Corps June 20, 

1898. 
Oglesby, James V. ; transfered to Hospital Corps July 24, 

1898. 
Twitchell, John, Virden, 111. ; transfered to Regimental 

Band December 24, 1898. 

DEATHS BY DISEASE. 

Tittle, Percy H., Arcanum, Ohio; died at Third Division 
Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla., September 22, 1898, 
of typhoid fever. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 221 

McFarland, Herman E., Mendon, 111. ; died at Camp Cuba 

Libre, Jacksonville, Fla., September 23, 1898, of 

typhoid fever. 

Turner, George E., Ogden, 111.; died at Third Division 

Hospital, Jacksonville/ Fla., October 4, 1898, of 

typhoid fever. 



COMPANY H 



WILLIAM N. PIPER. 

William N. Piper was born in Edgar county, Septem- 
ber 21, 1 87 1, and moved with his parents to Paris, in 1873. 
Here he attended the schools of the city, during his earlier 
years, after which he served an apprinticeship as a har- 
ness-maker, and later became a member of the firm of A. 
A. Piper & Sons, dealers in harness and saddlery. 

In 1893, he enlisted in Company H, Illinois National 
Guards and in May, 1894, was appointed a corporal. 
Elected second lieutenant June 20, 1898, and was mustered 
into the United States Volunteer service May 20, 1898, 
and on November 5, 1898, was commissioned first lieu- 
tenant of his company, in which rank he continued until 
mustered out May 2, 1899. During his relation to the 
Illinois National Guards he was with his company in Chi- 
cago at the time of the great strikes. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY H. 

Company H, Fourth Illinois National Guard, was or- 
ganized at Paris, Illinois, in the year 1881. Its first of- 
ficers were Captain Vance, First Lieut. Douglass Mann 
and Second Lieut. William Macbeth. The organization 
was Company C, of the Eighth Regiment, and was trans- 
ferred to the Fourth in 18 — . The company has been 
commanded in succession by Captains Vance, Jaquath, 




CAPT. W. II. SLANKER. 




7-ZituT.WMrcfitr. &l^<.ctfH£Ph.LXt 



224 HISTORY OF THE 

Macbeth, Crowell, Lang, Davis and Slanker. Captain 
Slanker was in command of the company at the time it 
answered the call to arms, April 26, 1898. He was sec- 
onded by First Lieut. William Barr and Second Lieut. 
William N. Piper. 

During the strike at East St. Louis stockyards in 1886, 
Company H accompanied the Eighth Regiment and served 
fourteen days. The next call came July 9, 1894, when 
their services were once more asked for in the interest of 
the state. Here they served eleven days at Camp Hop- 
kins. 

In October, 1892, and September, 1893, the Company 
spent several days at the World's Fair at Chicago. The 
next pleasure trip was to Charleston, Illinois, to attend the 
laying of the corner stone of the new State School. On 
July 22, 1897, the company left the state camp, Camp 
Lincoln, and attended the unveiling of the Logan monu- 
ment in Chicago, returning July 24. 

The order directing Captain Slanker to report at 
Springfield, Illinois, for duty, was received at 2:30 A. M., 
April 26, 1898. Immediately the city was awakened, and 
the news spread like fire. As soon as possible those mem- 
bers who did not live in Paris were notified of the presence 
of the order to report at once. At daybreak the boys be- 
gan to arrive, and by noon almost the entire company , as 
well as a large number of recruits, were gathered at the 
armory. In the afternoon the Company fell in and 
marched to the southwest steps of the court house and 
listened to an address by Rev. Bell, of Paris, and were pre- 
sented with two flags, one the Stars and Stripes by the the 
G. A. R., and the other a Cuban flag by the Baptist Young 
People's Union, of Paris. Afterward all returned to a hall 
on the west side of the square, and partook of a supper 
prepared by the Ladies' Aid Society and Relief Corps. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 225 

At 8:30 P. M. the company left over the Big Four for 
Springfield, where they arrived at 2:30 A. M. (Apr. 27), 
just twenty four hours from the time of receiving the order. 
They immediately marched to Camp Tanner and reported 
for duty. Although they were the second company to 
arrive in camp they were the first to report, for the other 
company did not report till the next day. 

Company H, with Company E, was quarted in Barn 
H of the cattle section, where they remained until they 
left for Jacksonville. 

At the time Company H received the order it consisted' 
of three commissioned officers and eighty-four enlisted men. 
While waiting for a train more men were enrolled, increas- 
ing the number to one hundred and seventeen enlisted men. 
When they were examined for the volunteer service it was 
reduced to seventy-eight men and the shortage was made, 
up by the transfer of the following men : 

PRIVATES. 

John F. Fowler, Company A. 
Carl Heap, Company L. 
Thomas Puyear, Company L. 
Isaac Montgomery, Company L. 
James M. Clark, Company E. 
Stephen A. Shyrer, Company E. 

This raising the number to the maximin of eighty-four 
enlisted men and three officers. 

During the stay in Camp Tanner many of the friends 
and relatives of the company visited them, and always came 
with well filled baskets. 

Company H was mustered into the volunteer service 
May 20, 1898, by Captain Baker, U. S. A. They left 
with the regiment May 26, bound for Tampa, Florida, but 

15 



226 HISTORY OF THE 

some place in Georgia an order was received directing the 
regiment to report at Jacksonville, Florida, where they ar- 
rived May 29. When the Fourth Illinois was placed on 
provost duty in Jacksonville, September 28, Company H 
occupied Station No. 1, at Forsythe & Jefferson streets and 
remained there till their removal to Savannah, Georgia, 
where they occupied Station No. 8, at Franklin Square, 
near the Yamacrow. 

Company H was the last of the Fourth Illinois to 
leave Jacksonville, and had fcharge of the prisoners, fifteen 
in number. 

On Thanksgiving day Company H's mess hall at 
Franklin Square was invaded by a number of the ladies of 
that district, who served the members of the company with 
a bountiful repast. This was under the leadership of Miss 
M. L. Landershine, of Savannah, and. is an event which 
will never be forgotten by Company H. 

The company was relieved from provost duty in Sa- 
vannah by Company C, of the Second South Carolina on 
December 5, and then took up quarters with the regiment 
at the Dale avenue camp. On New Years' day, 1899, an 
order was received to the effect that the Fourth Illinois 
would leave for Cuba, January 3. The next day all were 
busy packing up and writing farewell letters to friends. 

During the trip only a few from Company H escaped 
the experience of being sea-sick. Upon our debarkation at 
Havana the entire company was placed on guard at the 
wharves where the baggage was placed waiting transporta- 
tion. About noon, January 8, Company H was relieved by 
Company D, and then proceeded to the camp which was 
distant about five miles. Some of the boys rode on the 
wagons while others more curiously inclined preferred to 
walk and take in the sights. Several had cameras and 
many interesting scenes were procured. All arrived in 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 227 

camp in due time for supper and were much pleased to find 
their tents all ready to receive them. 

On January 22, 1899, the company accompanied the 
Third Battalion of which it was a part on a practice march 
to the City of Guines, which is forty-eight kilometers (thirty 
miles) from Havana and a little east of south in direction. 
The entire march covered a distance of nearly seventy- 
eight miles, the battalion arrived in Camp Columbia at 9 
A. M., January 29. On January 24, while in camp at 
Guines, they were visited by General Lee. That night a 
ball was given in his honor by the residents of the city. 

The day before the return to camp the battalion was 
camped near the shores of the harbor of Havana and not 
far from a powder magazine which had at one time been 
used by the Spanish army. A great deal of ammunition 
had been thrown into the harbor by the Spaniards, and 
"Major Elliot's Indians," having located the spot, pro- 
ceeded at once to get some of the ammunition for souven- 
iers. Quite a number of cartridges and other articles were 
"fished " out by the enthusiastic boys. During the night 
of February 13 the entire company was compelled, through 
necessity, to turn out in a heavy wind and rain storm to 
hold their tents down. The weather was cold enough to 
make overcoats very comfortable. 

On Februaay 19 the company again started on another 
practice march, this time in company with the entire brig- 
ade, which then consisted of the Second South Carolina 
and Fourth and Ninth Illinois, under command of General 
Douglas. This march was taken over the same ground 
covered by the Third Battalion, of the Fourth Illinois, the 
month previous. On February 23 the brigade passed in 
review before General Gomez, the great Cuban commander. 
This was in the city of Guines, Cuba. On April 3 the or- 
der came directing the regiment to move at once to the 



228 HISTORY OF THE 

United States and prepare for muster out. The packing 
up was done that night, and the next day the First and 
Second Battalions left for the wharf. About noon an or- 
der came directing the Third Battalion to wait until the 
Friday following. When Friday came no boat came with 
it, so we waited until the 12th, when the return trip was 
begun. Leaving Havana about 6 P. M. we soon, struck a 
very rough sea, and the little river boat, which carried us, 
had a hard time getting across, but upon striking the west 
coast of Florida the gulf became very tranquil, and the re- 
mainder of the trip was very pleasant. 

Landing at the United States quarantine station 
at Egmont Key, on the morning of the 14th, we were 
held there 'till the next Monday (17th), when we proceeded 
to Port Tampa and took the cars for Augusta, Georgia. 
Arriving in Augusta on the evening of the 18th and staying 
aboard the train that night, we went into camp with the 
rest of the regiment and work was at once begun on the 
company books, getting ready to once more become citi- 
zens. This work finally completed, Company H was mus- 
tered out of the volunteer service of the United States, 
about noon, May 12, 1899. 



COMPANY H ROSTER. 

Where not otherwise designated the members of this 
company were mustered into the United States service on 
the 20th day of May, 1898, at Springfield, Illinois, and 
mustered out at Augusta, Georgia, May 2, 1899. Figures 
following name indicate age. 

William H. Slanker, Captain, 38, Paris, 111., Carpenter. 
William H. Barr, First Lieutenant, 27, Paris, 111., Brick- 
mason; discharged at Savannah, Ga., per resigna- 
tion, Oct. 19, 1898. 



230 HISTORY OF THE 

William N. Piper, First Lieutenant, 26, Paris, 111., Har- 
nessmaker; mustered in as Second Lieutenant, com- 
missioned as First Lieutenant Nov. 22, 1898, vice 
Wm. H. Barr. On special duty as signal officer 
from Dec. 6, 1898 to Jan. 9, 1899. 

Harry E. Shutt, Second Lieutenant, 26, Paris, 111., 
Cigarmaker; enlisted as Sergeant, detailed Serg- 
eant-Major of the Second Battalion, May 20, 1899, 
commissioned Second Lieutenant, Nov. 22, 1898, 
vice Wm. N. Piper. 

SERGEANTS. 

Tracy, Howard T, 31, Paris, 111., Painter; absent on re- 
cruiting service June 11 to 23, 1898. 

Simons, Francis M., 29, Paris, 111., Laborer. 

Hill, Moss, 22, Chrisman, 111., Clerk. 

Patterson, Lockard, 30, Paris, 111. , Painter. 

Rives, Harry C, 23, Paris, 111., Clerk; enlisted as Sergeant, 
appointed Quartermaster-Sergeant Dec. 1, 1898. 

Jacobs, John O. , 20, Laborer; mustered in June 20, 1898, 
as private, appointed Corporal July 1, 1898, ap- 
pointed Sergeant Dec. 1, 1898. 

CORPORALS. 

Buckler, William C, 22, Paris, 111., Printer; enlisted as 
Corp., reduced to ranks June 28, 1898; on special 
duty in Engineering Corps July 18, 1898; appointed 
Corp. Dec. 1, 1898, reduced to ranks Feb. 22, 1899; 
discharged at Havana, Cuba, April 12, 1899. 

Lientz, Ulysess B., 26, Chrisman, Teamster; discharged at 
Hospital, Ft. Myer, June 3, 1899. 

Patterson, William, 24, Paris, 111., Musician; detailed to 
band, returned to Co. Dec. 24, 1898; detailed to 
band Feb. 9. 1899. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 23 1 

Boyd, Enos A., 23, Paris, 111., Cook; discharged at Paris, 

111., Feb. 3, 1899. 
Lackey, Ross, 25, Paris, 111., Laborer; enrolled as Corp., 

reduced to ranks June 1, 1898; appointed Corp., 

June 24, 1898; died at Third Division Hospital, 

Seventh Army Corps, Aug. 16, 1898. 
Wasson, Orie E., 20, Chrisman, 111., Student; discharged 

at Savannah, Ga., Dec. 14, 1898. 
Sizemore, Denver, M. 26, Pans, 111., Farmer; appointed 

Corp. Sept. 1, 1898. 
Conover, Joseph C. , 23, Chrisman, 111., Farmer; appointed 

Corp. Dec. 22, 1898. 
Durham, Herman E., 35, Casey, 111., Farmer; appointed 

Corp. Dec. 7, 1898. 
Scott, Purl A., 20, -Chrisman, 111., Student; on special duty 

with Engineering Corps July 18, 1898; appointed 

Corp. April 19, 1899. 
Cardwell, Robert F. , 18, Paris, 111., Student; appointed 

Corp. July 1, 1898. 
Scott, Edgar M., 28, Paris, 111., Painter; appointed Corp. 

June 1, 1898. 
Wetzel, Thomas M., 22, Paris, 111., Laborer; appointed 

Corp. June 17, 1898. 
Whalen, Thomas W., 27, Leroy, 111., Photographer; ap- 
pointed Corp. July 1, 1898. 
Smith, William E., 26, Paris, 111., Lineman; appointed 

Corp. July 1, 1898. 
Cale, Charles E., 25, Paris, 111., Laborer; appointed Corp. 

July 1, 1898; discharged at Havana, Cuba, April 10, 

1899. 
Owen, Stephen L. , 22, Paris, 111., Painter; appointed Corp. 

July 1, 1898- discharged at Savannah, Ga. , Nov. 9, 

1898. 



2 32 -HISTORY OF THE 



MUSICIANS. 



Howard, Edward T., 24, Paris, 111., Painter; transferred to 

regimental band Dec. 24, 1898. 
Fouts, Bert B., 22, Chrisman, 111., Carpenter. 
Russell, Clark A., 22, Chrisman, 111., Clerk; appointed 

musician July 1, 1898; dischargrd Nov. 1, 1898. 
Kelly, Waldo B., Casey, 111., Printer; mustered in Dec. 1, 

1898; transferred to Co. from regimental band Dec. 

23, 1898. 

ARTIFICER. 

Barr, Charles C, 24, Paris, 111., Brick-mason; discharged 
at Jacksonville, Fla., for- disability Aug. 25, 1899. 

Sell, William, 21, Paris, 111., Carpenter; appointed artificer 
September 1, 1898. 

WAGONER 

Wilson, Stephen A., 33, Paris, 111., Drayman. 

COOK. 

Bright, John F. , 22, Paris, 111., Hostler; appointed com- 
pany cook January 19, 1899. 

PRIVATES. 

Anderson, John, 21, Kansas, 111., Baker; on special duty in 
regimental bakery July 28, 1898, and Dec. 6, 1898. 

Augustus, Willis O.. 25, Paris, 111., Student; detailed to 
Regimental Hospital Corps May 20, 1898, transfered 
to United States Army Hospital Corps June 27, 
1898. 

Black, Charles N., 30, Paris, 111., Laborer; on detached 
duty as provost guard July 30, 1898 — Aug, 6, 1898, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



discharged for disability at Jacksonville, Fla. Sept. 

2 U ! /w „ Paris 111., Baker; on special duty 
Br ° W \X-ta?baC at C am p Cuba Lib,, de- 

tailed to Regimental bakery Dec. 6, 1898. 
Beard, Aurthur J., 20, .Paris, 111., Clerk. 
Black, Charles M., 36, Charleston, 111., Druggist. 
Conklin, Frank M., Paris, 111.. Fireman. 
Cay ton, Burt, 20, Paris, 111., Laborer. 

Conklin Walter, 24, Paris, Ilk, Laborer. 

Conklin, \w , « Laborer; discharged 

Camahan, David L., 3*>. fans 1 11., 

September 21, 1898, for disability. 
Caster Louis, 31, Rolmore, 111., Laborer. 
Clark James M , 27, Mattoon, 111., Mechanic; detailed to 

regimental stables. 
Ewing, Alva A., 35. P^s, HI. Farmer. 

Fowler, John W„ 24, Tuseola, 111., Blacksm th. 

Tare Leonard C, 22, Paris, 111., Broom-maker. 

Gage, Leonar , ^ Baker; specla i 

Goodwin, ueorge vv., -», Tu; r ri 

duty engineering corps July, .898, d,ed at Third 
Division Hospital, September 23, 1898. 

Huffman, James F.. 20, Paris, 111 Clerk; transfe r d to 
United States Army Hospital Corps June 29, 1898. 

Hardy, Aurther E„ Paris, 111., Laborer. 

Bartlett, John, 25, Paris, Ilk, Farmer; mustered m June 



20. I 



Boes, Dan, 22, Paris, Ilk, Laborer; mustered in June 20, 

GardnerTeroy, 35, Grand View, Ilk, Carpenter; mustered 
in Tune 20, 1898. , 

Holding, Elton, .8, Grand View, Ilk, Farmer; mustered 
in June 20, 1898. ,, 

Hardy, Harley C, .9. Paris. Ilk, Laborer; mustered ,n 



June 20, 1 



2 34 HISTORY OF THE 

Keller, Martillis, 19, Shelby ville, 111., Clerk, mustered in 

June 20, 1898. 
Tone, George L. , 19, Kansas, 111., Tailor; mustered in 

June 20, 1898. 
Layman, John L., 21, Paris, 111., Hostler; mustered in 

June 20, 1898. 
McClellan, Edward T.. 33, Paris, 111., Painter; mustered in 

June 20, 1898; appointed company cook Aug. 29, 

1898^ relieved Jan. 18, 1899. 
Mitchell, Ogden, 20, Paris, 111., Farmer; mustered in June 

20, 1898. 
Moody, William I. F., 19, Paris, 111., Plumber; mustered 

in June 20, 1898. 
Helm, Louis S., 28, Paris, 111., Jeweler. 
Huston, Samuel A., 19, Paris, 111., Laborer. 
Haish, William, 21, Paris, 111., Broommaker. 
Inge, Edwin A., 18, Chrisman, 111., Clerk. 
Inge, George B., 19, Chrisman, 111., Painter; on special 

duty at provost headquarters at Jacksonville, Fla., 

and Savannah, Ga., until Jan. 1, 1899. 
Jackson, Charles T., 22, Paris, 111., Laborer. 
Longfellow, Hiram, 21, Paris, 111., Farmer. 
Logan, James, 26, Warrensburg, O., Farmer; transferred 

to Hospital Corps, U. S. A., Sept. 19, 1898. 
Mitchell, Stephen, 18, Paris, 111., Farmer. 
Montgomery, Isaac, 22, Ingraham, 111., Farmer. 
McMorris, Charles E. , 18, Metcalf, 111., Farmer. 
Moore, Albert B., 21, Paris, 111., Broommaker; mustered 

in June 20, 1898. 
Miller, Harry A., 26, Paris, 111., Printer; mustered in June 

20, 1898. 
Nail, Elmer, 23, Paris, 111., Carpenter; mustered in June 

20, 1898. 
Quinn, Geo. E., 23, Paris, 111., Farmer. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2 35 



Robinson, Ira P., 25. Kansas, 111., Farmer; mustered in 
Tune 20, 1898. . 

Sizemore, Oda, 22, Paris, 111., Painter mastered m June 
,0 .898; discharged at Pans, 111., Jan. .4, >899- 

OwensfjohnT., .9. Paris, III, Printer; mustered m June 
20, .898; honorably discharged at Joseph S.mpson 
Hospital, Oct. 13. i89 8 - , . . 

Stark Otis O., 20, Kansas, 111., Laborer; mustered m June 
20, ,898; discharged at Havana, Cuba, Apnl .0, 

Badey'chas. O., 21, Paris, 111., Photographer; mustered 
in June 20, , 898 ; transferred to United States Army 
Hospital Corps, Sept. 19. 1898. . 

Low Edward, 24, Paris, 111., Carpenter; mustered m June 
20, .898; transferred to Hospital Corps, United 
States Army, Sept. 16, 1898. 
Newton, Wm. R., 44, Paris, 111., Carpenter. 
Owens lohn H., 23, Chrisman, 111., Farmer. 
remLei A., J, Pari.. III.. Clerk; honorably discharged 

at Havana, Cuba. April 12, 1899. 
Putman, Homer C, 34, Livingston, 111., Broommaker; 
transferred to United States Army Hosp.tal Corps, 
SeDt 1 1, 1898. 
Ponlter. Harry E„ «. Kansas, 111., Laborer; honorably 
discharged at Joseph Simpson Hosp.tal, Feb. .0, 

Puyear, Thomas A., 40, Mattoon. Ill , Engineer. 

Shaw, Perry E., .8, Paris, 111., Laborer; honorably dis- 
charged at Paris, March 13, 1899- 

Scott Daniel. 26, Chrisman, 111., Clerk. 

Scott, Samuel, 3., Chrisman, 111., Farmer; d.scharged at 
Havana, Cuba, April 10, 1899- 

Secres, Albert M., 18, Paris, 111., Painter. 

Sarvis,Wm. S.,35, Paris, 111., Farmer. - 



236 HISTORY OF THE 

Spires, Henry, 28, Paris, 111., Butcher; special duty; pro- 
vost guard Jacksonville, Fla., Aug. 5, 1898-Jan. 
4. 1899. 

Shryers, Stephen, 26, Areola, 111., Farmer. 

Trine, David, 25, Paris, 111, Laborer. 

Thompson, Walter, 19, Paris, 111., Machinist. 

Tierney, Fred W. , 18, Areola, 111., Farmer. 

Walden, Levi W. , 37, Paris, 111., Miller. 

Wyatt, James, 18, Chrisman, 111., Farmer. 

Wiley, Charles H., 21, Horace, 111., Farmer. 

Wallace, Claude, 18, Paris, 111., Paper Hanger; discharged 
at Jacksonville, Fla., July 19, 1898, disability. 

Heap, Karl L. , 21, Olney, 111., Farmer. 

Moss, Harry, 20, Chrisman, Student; discharged at Jack- 
sonville, Fla., Aug. 27, 1898, disability. 

Green, Carlos T., 33, Tuscola, 111., Contractor; mustered 
in June 25, 1898; died Aug. 8, 1898, in the Second 
Divison Hospital. 

Wilson, Walter A., 21, Owensburg, 111., Farmer; mustered 
in at Mattoon, 111., June 20, 1898; deserted Sept. 
20, 1898. 



COMPANY A. 



CHARLES M. DAVIS. 

Charles M. Davis was born in Areola, Illinois, July 27, 
1870 graduating from the high school in 1887. Being of 
a studious trend of mind he wished to at once take up the 
study of law, but at the earnest desire of his mother, who 
thought it a part of wisdom for all young men to first 
adopt a trade before entering a profession, he discarded for 
the time the idea and learned the carpenter's trade, and 
gave his attention awhile to architecture. 

In business he was always honorable and reliable, of 
industrious habits and of some means. He is an Episco- 
palian in religion and in 1897 joined the -Brotherhood of 
St Andrew " Previous to this, he was for several years a 
member and secretary in the local - Order of Good Temp- 
lars " in which he was a very active worker. 

'Among his ancestors for generations back were those 
who participated in every conflict in which the United 
States has been involved. There were also among them 
distinguished statesmen and jurists. 

Capt. William Watts Davis, his father, was a Federal 
veteran of the Civil war, commanding principally Company 
K Seventy-ninth Regiment Illlinois Volunteers, and in 
which service he lost his eyesight. His maternal great 
grandfather, Levi Sterling, was an officer in the American 
Revolution, and was wounded at Valley Forge. 

The maiden name of Lieutenant Davis' mother was 
Ida M. Dolson, for many years a prominent worker in Ma- 




SftlfetV , _ ■ 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2 39 

sonic circles, a descendent of John Hart and James Wil- 
son, signers of the Declaration of Independence. Her fa- 
ther was a first lieutenant in the Black Hawk campaign. 
His grandmother was the daughter of a Welsh nobleman 
by the name of Croson. She married Tunis Dolson, an 
American of wealth and prominence. 

In 1888 Charles joined the Illinois State Militia, then 
known as Company A, Fourth Illinois National Guard. 
Some time later he entered the law office of States Attor- 
ney James K. Breeden, where he remained until that gen- 
tleman sent him to South Dakota on a business mission. 
After eight months he returned and was made first sergeant 
in his company, about the time of the strike of 1893, and 
was with them the two months, having headquarters at 

Chicago. 

In 1896 he joined a party of excursionists to Anniston, 
Alabama, where he accepted a position as superintendent 
of the Novelty Wood Works. This place he resigned at 
the call for volunteers in the American-Spanish war. 
Hastening back home, and as his time in the militia had 
expired, re-enlisted, having then been a member nearly ten 
years, having been elected to the first lieutenancy in the 
spring of 1898. When, on the 26th of May, 1898, Com- 
pany A, Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
boarded the train for Camp Tanner, Springfield, he went 
as first lieutenant of that company. During its year's serv- 
ics, both in the United States and Cuba, he was in com- 
mand about three months, and although a good drill mas- 
ter and strict disciplinarian, he was conscientious in his 
care for the privates' welfare in his personal attention to 
their mess and sickness. While duty came first, he spared 
no trouble to obtain for his men a favor or pleasure that 
would drive away the dull monotony of camp life. He en- 



24O HISTORY OF THE 

forced obedience and proficiency by careful instruction, su- 
pervision and courtesy, and remained with the company 
until mustered out at Savannah, Georgia. 



RICE J. MOORE. 

Rice J. Moore was born October 4, 1870, at Areola, 
Illinois. Lived with his father on the farm until nineteen 
years of age, when he left home for an education, going to 
the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso, Indi- 
ana. After three years in this institution he returned home 
and resumed life on the farm. March 31, 1894, joined 
Company A, Fourth Infantry, Illinois National Guard; saw 
field service in Chicago during the Chicago strikes in July, 
1894; appointed corporal July 10, 1895; appointed quarter- 
master sergeant March 15, 1897; commissioned second 
lieutenant May 22, 1897; entered United States service as 
second lieutenant, Fourth Infantry, Illinois Volunteers, 20th 
day of May, 1898; detached from Fourth Regiment July 
25, 1898, and assigned to engineering corps of Seventh 
Army Corps. He resigned his commission November 9, 
1898. 



HISTORY OF COMPANY A. 

STATE GUARD SERVICE. 

The history of this organization began July 9, 188 1, 
when, as Company A of the Ninth Battalion of State 
Militia, it was formed at Areola, Illinois. William R. 
Armstrong was its first captain; D. A. Woodland and Al 
Snyder first and second lieutenants respectively. 

Enlisted as privates at this time were S. A. D. Mc- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 24I 

Williams and E. E. Elliot, both of whom have served with 
the regiment continuously from that date, the former hav- 
ing attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel and the latter 
that of major of the Third Battalion. Lieutenant Snyder, 
as he then was, is now regimental quartermaster, with rank 
of captain. In this same year (1881) the company was 
transferred to the Eighth Regiment, Illinois National Guard. 
In 1 891 the Eighth was changed to the Fourth Illinois 
National Guard, but retained its organization. 

Those who have served as captains of this company 
are Wm. R. Armstrong, D. A. Woodland, J. W. Goudy, 
S. R. Coan, E. E. Elliot and Jos. P. Barri klow. Of 
these, three reached the rank of major: Armstrong, Coan> 
and Elliot. 

Those filling the office of first lieutenant were D. A. 
Woodland, Al Snyder, S. R. Coan, Perry Bowers, S. A. D. 
McWilliams, J. P. Barricklow and Charles M. Davis. 

The second lieutenants were Al Snyder, F. E. Wright,. 
S. R. Coan, Perry Bowers, E. E. Elliot, J. P. Barricklow,. 
W. C. Conners, Daniel Ghere, Judd Barricklow and Rice 
J. Moore. In addition to those previously mentioned, F. 
E. Wright also won the promotion of major. 

The first encampment was one of five days, at In- 
dianapolis, Ind., in 1882. A competitive drill, in which 
the company took part, was held there on July 4th. 

The first real service that the company performed was 
during the strike of 1886 at East St. Louis. Orders were 
received April 10, and they remained on duty two weeks. 

On October 12, 1892, the company attended the 
dedication of the World's Fair buildings at Chicago. The 
grand review of the state's troops was a magnificent spec- 
tacle, but the march of several hours over the hard pave- 
ments was a severe one. 

Illinois Day, August 23, 1893, saw tne state troops 

16 



242 HISTORY OF THE 

once more assembled in Chicago. The company's quar- 
ters were at Windsor Park. A contractor engaged to sup- 
ply all the troops with food during the two days of their 
stay. To this end he erected a very large tent, and the 
boys were fed on very tough beefsteak, and what little 
else was provided was equally as vile. This was too much 
to be endured. One morning the guy ropes were found 
cut, the tent collapsed, and the dishes demolished. The 
boys had been vindicated, and contract beef came suddenly 
to an end. 

Again at Chicago, service was rendered eleven days 
beginning July 9, 1894. The company were in quarters at 
Thirty-ninth street and Wentworth avenue. Guard duty 
was performed on the Ft. Wayne Railway tracks. On 
July 16, great excitement was caused by the explosion of a 
caisson on the boulevard. The company were in line 
promptly, for the impression was that a riot had started. 
However, nothing further came of it. 

Logan Day occurred on July 22, 1897. The Fourth 
being in State Encampment at Camp Lincoln, Springfield, 
left by rail to attend the ceremonies of the unveiling of the 
monument. 

The company has, with its regiment, been in attend- 
ance at each of the State encampments, and has won for 
itself a full share of credit. 

VOLUNTEER SERVICE IN THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 

With the possibility of the State Guards being called 
into the service of the United States, came the order for 
recruiting. After the President's call for one hundred and 
twenty -five thousand volunteers, the company was almost 
immediately filled up to its full quota, and more. 

On the evening of April 16, the ladies of Areola pre- 
sented Company A with a beautiful flag of silk. The exercises 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 243 

were held in Armory Hall. Mrs. Jno. R. Clisby, in choice 
thought, made the presentation, Capt. Jos. P. Barricklow 
responded on behalf of the company. Mr. George Cheney 
delivered a short but stirring oration upon the " Impending 
Struggle." The flag was not taken with the company until 
June 23, when upon the coming of recruits to Jacksonville, 
it was brought with them. On several occasions the com- 
pany had the pleasure of seeing their banner carried as 
regimental colors. 

Orders to report at Springfield were received at 2 :oo 
A. M. April 26. It was an anxious, expectant day. Mem- 
bers of the company hurried from their homes, from farm 
and shop, from store and school, and from the neighboring 
towns, to the meeting place in Armory Hall. Roll call 
revealed a total of one hundred and seven. The veterans 
of '61, stepping forth with the spirit of those other stirring 
times, escorted the boys of '98 to the depot. At half past 
five in the evening, after the tearful leave-taking and the 
last sorrowful good-bye was spoken, the Vandalia train 
carried them away to the untried perils of war. 

The train arrived in Springfield at 9:30. The boys 
slept the remainder of the night upon the cars with what 
little comfort they could. 

In the first light of the morning the march of three 
miles to the State Fair Grounds was taken up. One or 
two companies of the Fourth and one of the Fifth regi- 
ment had preceded us into camp. Sergeant Blackwell 
and Private McBride, who, as part of a detail to accom- 
pany Captain Snyder, had left Areola the previous morn- 
ing, were the first soldiers to arrive in Camp Tanner. 

The first breakfast was suggestive of camp life. It ar- 
rived late. It consisted of nothing but very tough beef- 
steak, which the cook issued to the men as fast as he could 
fry it. But half the boys, impatient at the long wait, cut 



244 HISTORY OF THE 

forked sticks from the trees and toasted their portions be- 
fore the fire. 

Companies A and M shared quarters with each other 
in barn " Q," which, during the State Fair, had been 
used for cattle. The companies occupied the opposite 
sides of the building, both in the loft above and in the stalls 
below. A detail of men had carried each a bale of straw 
from one of the sheds about a quarter of a mile distant, 
and the quarters were fixed up with a fair degree of com- 
fort. 

At first the mess quarters were in the open, the cook- 
ing being done on improvised brick furnaces upon the hill- 
side, but the weather being damp and chilly, and having 
had to eat in the rain on the fourth day, a removal was 
made to the sheep and swine building, which quarters were 
occupied the remainder of the stay in Camp Tanner. 

Sleeping accommodations were not quite such as to 
satisfy the young men reared in comfortable homes. Most 
of the boys had left home without even an overcoat; the 
military overcoats were far too few. There was not more 
than half enough blankets, and even these had a provoking 
habit of taking a leave of absence in the night. One had 
almost to wear his blanket day and night to keep it from 
being " swiped." By the end of the first week Areola re- 
sponded to the need which the state had been slow to pro- 
vide for, and some real home "comforts" came to make 
more endurable the chilly nights. 

One of the first lessons to be learned was one of pa- 
tience. It was commonly expected that in a few short 
days the men would be examined, the companies mustered 
in, and the regiment hurried away to some eastern or south- 
ern camp. But all the work of organization and equipment 
could not be done in a day; and while we waited impa- 
tiently, time hung heavily on the hands of the men. They 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 245 

drilled in company and drilled in squad, marched on dress 
parade and made practice marches into the city. These 
grew especially irksome when we thought it possible we 
might have to stay in Camp Tanner all summer. 

War is a serious business. But men will not always 
be serious. When monotony threatens to overcome them 
they seek diversion. The volunteer, coming, as he does, 
from such varied walks of life, is especially fertile in means 
of enlivenment. 

While the weather was gloomy without many an hour 
was whiled away in boxing and wrestling, in dancing and 
in athletic games. Some read books and all wrote letters. 
The old army game of poker furnished entertainment for 
some and beguiled the inexperienced youth into a new 
found pastime. Not last nor least in the list of amuse- 
ments were certain "Initiation Exercises" in which the 
principal instruments were a paddle-shaped board and a 
pair of stout and willing arms. No one dared say he was 
not entitled to an initiation. The officers, too, sometimes 
came in for a good share of this enjoyment, i. c\, the en- 
joyment of the boys. Sometimes the poultry-roosts of the 
vicinity suffered a depletion and the farmer, seeing so many 
bluecoats in camp, put two and two together and rightly 
guessed that it made four. But many found more sober 
enjoyments. The Young Men's Christian Association on 
the grounds, afforded interesting meetings, entertaining 
games, and a quiet place to read and write. Some twenty 
additional men came May i 5 and 17, to recruit the com- 
pany to a higher number. 

The days preceding the physical examination was a 
period of much anxiety on the part of the boys. The time 
came on the morning of the 18th of May. Comparatively 
few of them failed to pass. Some time previous an order 
had been issued to cut the companies down to eighty-one 



246 HISTORY OF THE 

men. Of the number above this of physically qualified 
men in Company A, six found a place upon the rolls of other 
companies — two in Company I, three in Company H and 
one in Company M. The remainder were sent home with 
those who had failed. 

The date of muster in followed close upon the ex- 
amination. At 11:10 A. M., May 20, Company A left the 
State Guard service to join the volunteer forces of the 
United States. 

Six days later, according to orders received, the Fourth 
Illinois departed for the South, leaving Springfield, over the 
Chicago & Alton tracks. The Third Battalion did not 
leave until 4 o'clock. 

All were eager to go. There had been days when 
the prospect for active service looked gloomy. Many 
thought they might be obliged to spend dreary weeks in 
the state camp and at last be sent back home. But now 
doubt fled. We were to go to Tampa, perhaps in a few 
days to embark on a voyage across the waters to join our 
brothers at Santiago. There was some little rumor that 
our destination might be Jacksonville. But that mattered 
little — any change was welcomed that promised to bring 
us nearer the front. 

The travel accommodations were excellent and the 
tourist sleepers insured a good rest tor each night. 

This journey to the Southland was a new experience 
to most of the boys, and one which they thoroughly appre- 
ciated. The men of the regiment won attention both by 
their conduct and by their personal appearance. At Jack- 
son, Tennessee, a white-haired veteran, looking up at 
Private Craft, is said to have remarked: "If that is the 
size of the men you have up there, it's no wonder you 
whipped us in '61. " 

It was a continuous ovation. The loyalty and hospi- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 247 

tality of the South was very marked. Perhaps their feeling 
about the coming struggle was aptly put, in the words of a 
grey-bearded old warrior at Birmingham. Alabama. He 
said " I received three bullets at Gettysburg, but if you 
need me I am ready to go again." Every where we were 
greated with enthusiasm. We were treated with especial 
kindness at Sylacauga, Alabama, and again at Albany, 
Georgia, where they served lunch and lemonade to us. 

The morning of the 29th found the long train upon 
the side track in the midst of the pine woods. We had 
arrived at Jacksonville, for orders had been changed. Here 
we were to go into encampment about a mile and a half 
north and east of the city proper. After breakfast the 
companies formed and were marched to the space assigned 
them. The Second Illinois, Fiftieth Iowa and First Wis- 
consin were already there and our regiment took its place 
to the north of them, i. e., on their left. 

It was not till evening that arrangements were com- 
pleted for the pitching of camp, and in the meantime we 
learned something of our new environments. It was a day 
of intense heat, and blankets were spread over the bushes, 
on poles, or in any manner to afford a shelter from the 
burning rays. The water from the hydrants that had been 
extended from the city, though of fairly good quality, was 
very warm. All about was a scattering timber of young 
pine. The clumps of saw palmetto, scattered about so 
profusely, formed a novel sight to unaccustomed eyes. 

The grounds were level, and, covered with grass, 
seemed a goodly sight. Uninformed as to the nature of 
the country, men approached every bush with caution, not 
knowing what enemy in reptile form might lurk behind. A 
few days, however, sufficed to teach us that this land was 
no wilder than others. 

Before night fell the tents, which had been brought 



248 HISTORY OF THE 

from the state, were erected. Each was large enough to 
accommodate ten or twelve men. Companies A and E, 
facing each other, formed the last company street on the 
south. 

Now followed days of real camp life; of drills in the 
morning and dress parades in the evenings, and Saturday 
morning inspections. At first the men slept, simply spread- 
ing their blankets upon the ground; then, byway of luxury, 
some made their couch of the ever present pine bough, and 
some from the abundant gray moss that hung from the 
trees. After some time a few of the squads put in floors of 
lumber, purchased cheap at the neighboring mills. But 
most of the boys had long before spent their last nickel, 
and, without a cent to buy a bit of luxury, lived roughly in 
their tents, and subsisted on the coarse fare provided, often 
eating in the rain. 

In the midst of this the volunteer remained cheerful. 
He was ever ready to sing, but it mattered not what. The 
average soldier sang with equal zest the songs of the Y. M. 
C. A. or those from the opera, and the evening twilight 
and the pine woods listened nightly to his music. 

Two or three weeks had passed when the hearts of 
the boys were gladdened by the receipt of various boxes 
filled with useful toilet articles and dainty viands from 
home. Never before had edibles seemed so delicious. 

The long looked-for pay day came June 23. It was 
the first, and right well did the boys appreciate it. 

On this same day came twenty-five recruits under the 
charge of Private Everette Little, who had been sent back 
to Areola for this purpose some time previous. With 
them they / brought the company's flag, which henceforth 
was to remain with us. 

An issue of blue shirts was made on June 24. The 
men had been very much in need of them. But we were 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2 49 

now no longer the " Ragged Regiment. " The transforma- 
tion was quite striking. 

The bath houses that were erected at the rear of the 
camp about July It. added quite a comfort, as well as 

^ul^ompany with its regiment took part in a 
granu review of the troops by General Lee Unfortunately 
soon after the line of march was formed, it began to dnzale 
and before the companies got back to quarters they had 
undergone two hours of a drench.ng rainstorm. But a 1 
bore it cheerfully, and, strange to say. none seemed "suf- 
fer any serious effects from it. But it was yet to be lea ned 
what Florida rains were. On July .0, it rained so that the 
water stood over the low ground in the company street 
Still raining all the next day, the water came up over some 
o he tent floors, and the men were obliged to wade over 
kn e deep to get across to the mess quarters. There was now 
hi left fo do but to move out, and I according y hal 
the company transferred to the west side. A ditch had 
ton dug along the south side of the camp, but fl was not 
deep enough to drain the low ground. On the th.rd morn- 
f„ g Companies A and E went to work in the ^rain and mud 
and water building a causeway about a hundred feet long, 
of pine saplings and logs, thus bridging over the pond. 
On this day, also, our company labored to build a me s 
house so that we now had a rather respectable place in 
which to eat. Our first mess quarters had been a mere 
shack of poles, roofed over in a rough way with pine 
boUs The soot from the pine-log fire painted and re- 
p ntdtbis primitive canopy as often as the rams from 
above washed it out. In the way of an improvement ater 
on, a board roof had been placed over the kitchen pa t. 

On the evening of July .4. some excitement was 
caused, when, after dusk the order came down the line for 



2 50 HISTORY OF THE 

the men to fall in with rifles and side arms. The first 
thought was that some serious trouble was on hand, need- 
ing our services. Even some that were ailing left their 
cots to join in something that promised a bit of excitement. 
After we were in line with the rest of the companies, some 
one remembered that Governor Tanner was coming to 
visit the Illinois regiments. This surmise proved correct, 
for we were marched to the depot; but as he did not come 
that evening our march was repeated next morning. 

Twenty of our men, with a like detail from the other 
companies, went upon the rifle range, July 28. Captain 
Muench of Company L, was in charge. Some good scores 
were made. August 8th saw the removal of our regiment 
to Panama Park, two miles to the north of us, where it 
was placed with the Third Division. 

Now came the season of our greatest trial. The un- 
sanitary condition of our other camp, the coarse food, to- 
gether with inexperienced cooking, the dull monotony, the 
steady heat of the sun, and the presence of the dread 
malaria and typhoid in the very air, all combined to make 
a condition under which the constitution of our men began 
to give way. Heretofore there had been but little sickness. 
Up to the 3d of August there had never been more than 
three upon the company's sick report at any one time. But 
now it seemed that one after another, and in two's and 
three's, they would have to be taken to the hospital. 

Added to this was the doubt as to whether the regi- 
ment would remain in the service, and the discontent 
aroused over the absurd rumor that the men might be 
allowed to decide for themselves. 

At times there was hardly a score of men fit for duty. 
Things were fast moving toward a demoralized state, when 
a change came for the better in an order for the regiment's 
removal to Jacksonville to do provost duty. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



251 



Before leaving Panama we were called °P°" ,0 ' *» 
first time to mourn the loss of a comrade. Allen F. Clare 
hid come with the recruits in June. It seems that the 
£1 had fastened its fangs upon him almost from the very 
first He was sick in quarters almost continuously after 
August 2. A furlough was granted him September 9 but 
ere he reached home a mortal illness was upon him 
After lingering three days, he died at his home in Loving- 
ton 111. September , 5 , .898. Thus, in the cause of his 
country, in the flower of his youth, had he been cut down 
by the soldier's worst foe. 

All the companies had gone but A and E when we 
broke camp September 30. In the evening of that day we 
pitched our tents next neighbors to Company C, w th 
whom we were to take np the work at Provost Station No 
Tin the north centra, part of Jacksonville. All that night 
and the next day the wind blew a gale and the rain , fan m 
gnsty showers. We awoke, to find some of the tents 
down and several trees uprooted. Awakening almost ^any 
hour of the night, one could hear some one resetting h, 
tent stakes. Amidst the storm onr men went ^on duty next 
morning at General Lee's headquarters and at the cty 

Wat 7h e r d S eat„ of Sydney Matters on the 6th of October, 
came as a terrible shock, alike to his comrades and to his 
friends at home. He had been under treatment of a resi- 
dent physician for a periodic trouble. He had gone that 
morning requesting an operation. But at the momen of 
its beginning he was seized with convulsions and died 
Poor Syd! whole-hearted, generous, best loved comrade 
He had long expected his furlough but for some reason it 
was never granted. How much his disappointment had to 
do with the hastening of his death we cannot tell. Sadly 



252 HISTORY OF THE 

we accompanied his remains to the depot whence they were 
shipped home to be buried in the Areola cemetery. 

Hardly more than a week passed by ere death came 
again into our midst. James Robertson died in the Third 
Division Hospital, October 14, carried away by a brief at- 
tack of typhoid fever. A telegram was sent to the address 
of his mother in Indiana, but no mother answered. When 
a reply did come back it was that there was no one to as- 
sume the expense and that he should be buried at Jackson- 
ville. Arrangements, however, had already been made to 
do so. These circumstances made his funeral a peculiarly 
sad one. We followed his body to its sepulcher on the 
sandy slope. The bugles played taps over his open grave, 
and, firing the parting salute, we left him there with the 
tall pines above him to guard his resting place. 

The events of these few days did nothing to dispel the 
gloom that was settling upon the men. Jacksonville, with 
which our first acquaintance had been one of pleasure, now 
seemed little short of a pest hole. Is it little wonder, 
then, that we received the order to report at Savannah 
with new and eager hopes? We were one of the first four 
companies to depart, leaving over the Plant System rail- 
way near midnight of October 20. We arrived at our 
destination about 7 o'clock next morning. It was prophetic 
of our later experience that we left Jacksonville in the rain 
and entered Savannah in sunshine. 

Companies A and K were assigned to Station No. 3 
and went into camp on the wide green in the center of 
Oglethorpe avenue and on opposite sides of Habersham 
street. Police headquarters were but half a block south of 
us, and in these grounds we were allowed to have our mess 
quarters. 

At first the people of Savannah looked with doubt and 
misgiving upon the coming of the soldiers. But such was 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



253 



the uniformly good behavior of our men. nd the firmness 
and vigor with which they dealt not only with the dis- 
orderly volunteers but with the unruly negro or white c.t.- 
L as" well, that they won respect and approval, admira- 
ls and friendship, in turn. Nor could any people ^ - 
treated us better, more kindly or more hospitably than did 
hese We were received into their houses hke sons and 
brothers, and many a little comfort and many a delicacy 
found its way to our tents. It was a usual occurrence for 
he sentinel, as he went on post in the early morning, to 
find a cup of hot coffee ready to be handed out to h,m by 
some kind-hearted lady. 

It is not necessary to describe our dut.es as provost 

guards. It was, in reality, police work. Suffice ,t to say 

Lt the men did their duty fearlessly and well. Our d,s- 

rict was known as Crawford ward, and men were not 

allowed to enter except under special and limited passe. 

When November 24 came the good people of Savan- 
nah outdid all previous generosity in the spreading of a 
magnificent Thanksgiving dinner for the twelve thousand 
To dier boys encamped in and around th ecay.^ 
companies were feasted near Chatham Artillery Hall K a 
, o'clock and we at 3- Can we ever be grateful enough or 
speak too much in praise of such hospitality? And to the 
Savannah ladies we must give full credit for their tireless 
efforts and skillful planning. . 

November z 5 we gave up our old Springfield rifles ,n 
exchange for new United States magazine rifles. After 
more than two months of provost duty, our regiment was 
relieved and removed to the country camp. Such was the 
satisfaction we had given that the police department fire 
department, mayor and citizens joined in a petition for our 
retention. But it availed nothing. Our company broke 



2 54 HISTORY OF THE 

camp December 5, and was relieved by Company I, of the 
Ninth Illinois. 

It seemed a bit odd to get back into company drills 
and regimental drills once more, but old habits soon reas- 
serted themselves. 

We were encamped partly in a meadow, partly in a 
peanut field, a very nice location withal. 

The days were now getting rather cool. A damp wind 
often blew in from the ocean, making it very chilly and 
disagreeable. On the night of December 9, and on sev- 
eral others, ice formed a quarter of an inch thick, and one 
morning we awoke to find a sleet upon the ground and 
trees. This was unusual for Savannah. It was not exact- 
ly comfortable for open air meals. 

The army stoves, which were provided us December 
10, afforded much comfort. For the benefit of those who 
have never seen a government stove, one is briefly described 
here: A funnel of sheet-iron about twenty inches high in- 
verted over a shallow pit in the ground, four inches wide 
at the top and eighteen at the bottom; an inverted a shaped 
notch at the bottom for the admission of air; a door on the 
side fastened with ordinary hinges; three or four joints of 
four-inch stove pipe. The tents were arranged in clusters 
of threes, all facing the little square, in the center of which 
was the stove. 

Our regiment joined in the grand review before Presi- 
dent McKinley December 17. The companies were well 
filled up, averaging eight sets of fours. Not since the early 
days at Jacksonville had we gone out with such full com- 
panies. 

As the year drew to a close we began to feel assured 
that we should be taken across to Cuba. Amongst other 
special preparations, good, strong boxes were* made, each 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 255 

large enough to hold the extra goods of six men. These 
proved very substantial in the rough handling of shipping. 

Reveille sounded early on the morning of January 3, for 
orders had been received to embark on the Mobile that day. 
It was almost like parting with our own home friends to 
leave the Savannah people. We had had a happy stay 
with them. 

Our great ship, with both the Fourth and Ninth Illi- 
nois on board, moved off at 11 :30, dropping down the river 
with the tide. From window and door of every factory 
and home, a multitude waved us farewell. The voyage 
upon the sea was without particular incident, though it was 
a new experience to the greater number of us. At 11:25 
A. M., January 5, we first caught sight of the high coast 
line of Cuba; after fifty hours, of ocean journey we slowly 
drew in under the grim old walls of Castle Monro, into the 
great Havana harbor, past the wreck of the Maine, to our 
landing place. Here we were obliged to lay two days be- 
fore the ship could finish unloading. ^ On the afternoon of 
the 7th we made the march to our camp, located nearly 
seven kilometers (about four miles) northwest from the city. 

So strangely different from the familiar scenes of 
homeland, the succession of new and unexpected sights 
was almost overwhelming. Streets were narrow, crooked, 
and filthy; doors and windows of homes barred. There 
were great ox-carts and little horse-cars. Everywhere 
strange scenes met our eye and a strange tongue greeted 
our ears. A curious throng looked on as we passed by. 
There were ragged, unkempt children and naked infants. 
At almost every home men, women, or children, waved the 
Cuban flag in one hand and with the other the Stars and 
Stripes. Every appearance of our beloved banner was 
greeted with a burst of cheers. 

As we passed out of the city into the country still 



256 HISTORY OF THE 

other novel sights met our gaze. Stone walls and cactus 
hedges served as fences. A fortified hill appeared on our 
right, and one with a block house upon it some distance to 
the left. We crossed a fine little stream of clear water, 
with a waterfall a few yards below. Our winding, hilly 
road led us through several suburban villages. We reached 
the site of our camp in the evening, and pitched our tents 
on the red hill slope overlooking the sea, two miles away. 
A row of royal palms extended along the south side, and a 
lane of banana led off from the north. 

Our large new tents, 14X 14, were erected before night 
fall, and six men occupied each. That night the rain fell 
heavily. We had not had time to dig trenches around our 
tents and some of the squads awoke to find themselves in 
several inches of water that had filled the hollows. The 
next morning we wondered if we would ever enjoy this 
Cuban experience, for the pasty, red soil seemed worse 
than the black mud of Illinois. 

On the third day of our encampment we were issued 
good, substantial folding cots. These provided much 
toward our health as well as comfort. 

Now followed days of the usual routine of camp duties, 
the boys using their spare time in getting acquainted with 
the country around us. 

Not a little stir was created when we learned that the 
Third Battalion was ordered on an eight-day march to 
Guines, thirty miles southeast of Havana. We left Camp 
Columbia near 8 o'clock on the morning of January 22, 
Major Elliott in command. The band accompanied us for 
a mile or more. The men were in cheerful and expectant 
spirits. Our road led us northeast through El Cerro, Tuli- 
pan, and Jesus del Monte, suburbs of Havana. Turning 
to the east through this latter place, and then to the south- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2^J 

east, which general direction we followed all the way, we 
soon left the city to our backs. 

The roadway was well built of crushed rock. Every 
culvert and bridge was substantially made of stone, or brick 
and iron. A short post of gray rock marked each kilometer 
and its number from the city. 

On our left, as we left Jesus del Monte, the great har- 
bor remained in view for some distance, while on our right, 
a mile away appeared a series of fortified hills. 

At noon we reached San Francisco de Paula. A mile 
farther we left the winding hill road and emerged upon the 
more level upland. About i we reached the village of 
Cotorro, near which we pitched our camp. We had'! 
marched twelve miles and a half and were somewhat tired,, 
yet much pleased with the interesting things we had seen. 

The village had had four block-houses to protect it. 
These structures, for the most part of stone, and two-thirds : 
of them in ruins, became a familiar sight ere the end of our- 
journey was reached. 

This was our first night under field tents. We made 
an early start next morning and traveled with much more 
ease than on the previous day. Four miles out from 
Cotorro we crossed a fine little stream of pure water that 
afforded us a good watering place. Three miles farther we 
passed the peaks of Somorostro, tall, rocky masses that- 
rose on each side of our road to the height of about four- 
hundred feet. 

We passed through San Jose at 10:30, and twenty 
minutes later reached a second camping place. We had 
again marched about twelve miles. 

The third day we passed through the hills of Candela, 
from whose summit we caught an indistinct vision of the 
Caribbean. Three miles further lay our destination. At 



258 HISTORY OF THE 

10:30 we had established our camp in the northwestern 
part of Guines. 

We found this to be a place of about ei^ht thousand 
inhabitants. There were nine or ten block-houses sur- 
rounding the town, but nearly all were in ruins. 

We remained in encampment here three days, includ- 
ing that of our arrival. General Lee came down from 
Havana the first day, and, escorted by some two hundred 
Cuban cavalrymen, visited our camp. 

A battalion of the Second Louisiana, which had been 
sent out under orders similar to our own, arrived on the 
day following. 

The people received us kindly, and altogether our 
short stay amongst them was both pleasant and profitable. 

We broke camp once more at 6:15 the morning of the 
27th. We made a particularly good march this day, for 
at 12:50 we reached the watering place previously men- 
tioned, a distance of eighteen and one-half miles. 

The next forenoon we encamped at Luyano, in sight 
of the harbor, and the third morning we marched into the 
home camp, led by the band that had come a mile or so to 
meet us. Colonel Swift complimented both commander 
and men on their good appearance after their long march. 

The days of February 12th and 13th were very stormy 
ones, the wind blowing a gale from the north and the rain 
falling in gusty showers. Many found it chilly enough to 
wear an overcoat. 

February 19 found us for the second time upon the 
march to Guines. This time it was the entire brigade — the 
Second South Carolina, Ninth and Fourth Illinois regi- 
ments. We followed the same route as before and there- 
fore it was not entirely a new experience to a part of us. 

On the evening of the second day we pitched our 
camp on the southern slope of Lomas de Candela (Candela 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2 59 

Hills). The ground was very stony, fit hiding places for 
more than one centipede that was found ere we made our 
couch for the night. The following day we did not break 
camp till at noon. The forenoon was spent in the man- 
ner usual to the American soldiers when he has a bit of 
leisure time, viz. : in exploration and investigation. It is a 
part of his nature to do so. 

A grove of bananas and cocoanut palms that stood a 
quarter of a mile to our west claimed first attention. We 
had never seen quite so much of the first in one patch. 
Some of the boys amused themselves with their pistols in 
shooting the cocoanuts from the clusters. Some one early 
discovered a great cave up near the hill top. Most of us 
had the good fortune to see this wonder of nature. The 
entrance was rather difficult to find, the ground being so 
overgrown with shrubbery. There was no beautiful stalac- 
tite formation, only damp and dirty walls. There were 
great rooms, and narrow winding passageways. One dome- 
shaped apartment was about thirty feet across; an aperture 
in the center opened out into the sunlight above. We 
left the cavern by another opening which we afterwards 
found to be several hundred yards west from that where 
we had entered. 

At 2:00 in the afternoon we moved on to Guines, the 
Third Battalion leading the way. Our camp was estab- 
lished near a swift flowing stream of pure water, about a 
mile northeast of the city. Here we remained until Fri- 
day morning the 24th. Many of our friends, whose ac- 
quaintance we had formed when on our previous visit came 
out from the town to see us. The 22d being Washington's 
birthday, we formed a parade through the principal streets. 
General Gomez witnessed the review of the troops. 

The evening of the first day's return march brought us 



26o HISTORY OF THE 

again to the Somorostros. The other regiments were not 
with us. 

We had not stretched our tents a half hour till shouts 
from the hill-top proclaimed that several adventurers had 
already scaled the steep, rocky ascent. Soon all sorts of 
reports were coming in as to the strange, wild creatures to 
be seen up there. Matthews found a meek-eyed house cat 
that had had both ears and tail abbreviated, and with a 
stout cord tied it to his tent pole. The news got out, and 
boys were to be Seen coming from all parts of the camp to 
seethe " mountain lion. " 

It need not be told here how, during our stay, the 
boys gathered bucketfuls of honey from a great natural 
hive in the rock, nor how they found and entered a snake 
den, capturing some of the reptiles; for these will very 
probably appear in the story of the other companies. 

We rambled over nearly every foot of the sharp, 
craggy summits. We found wild oranges, limes and 
guava upon the hillsides, and many varieties of small wood. 
From the topmost tree we could see the waters of the 
northern coast about fifteen miles away. 

On the evening of the 26th, orders came to break 
camp once more. So unexpected to the boys was this, 
that quite a number were beyond the peaks, and out of 
range of the bugles. But most of them got back in time 
to join their companies in line, if they did miss their supper. 

It was about 5 o'clock when we left. Marching about 
three miles we entered the village of Carninoso. Here we 
turned to the south. A fairly good road led out for two 
or three miles, but after that it became nothing better than 
an ox-cart track, narrow, often deep rutted and stony, and 
sometimes sunken ten or fifteen feet below the surrounding 
country. Night coming upon us added nothing to the con- 
venience of our traveling. At a quarter of eight we reached 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



26l 



Managna, a town of considerable size, twenty kilometers 
south of Havana. Here we entered another good road, 
similar to the other by which we had left Havana. An 
hour and a half more of marching brought us to a camping 
place for the remainder of the night. We had come about 
thirteen miles. Without further incident we reached our 
home camp at 12 o'clock next day, tired enough, and glad 
to get a rest. Colonel Swift praised his men for their 
cheerfulness, and was pleased and satisfied with their con- 
duct. The remaining days in Camp Columbia were un- 
eventful. All felt that the time was drawing near when we 
should recross the waters to the home land. 

But we were enjoying ourselves. Never had there 
been a better condition of- health. The weather was of the 
very finest. It was not often it rained; in fact, there was 
none in the last seven weeks of our stay. 

Daily we were acquiring valuable information. Many 
a pleasant hour, away from camp duties, we spent by the 
seaside, roaming over the fields, in the villages, or in the 
great city itself. We learned much of the country, its soil 
and its products; of the people, their language, their cus- 
toms and their social conditions. 

Our battalion went aboard the side-wheel steamer 
Whitney, April 12. The other two had gone a week be- 
fore. Just as the sun went down we passed out the harbor, 
bidding goodby to Cuban scenes and Cuban experiences, 
that were ours no longer, except in memory. 

On the morning of the second day we were unloaded 
at Egmont Key, where we remained in quarantine three 
days. We were at the entrance to Tampa Bay, Florida. 
The barbed wire enclosure, in which we were tented, was 
much like a prison to the boys, for we could not leave it 
except on duty. Each day we were examined by the 
United States Surgeons, but not a man was sick. Our 



262 HISTORY OF THE 

blankets had been fumigated when we first came off the 
boat, and our other goods later. 

The pilot boat Margaret carried us away from Camp 
Detention on the morning of April 17th. We reached Port 
Tampa at noon. After several hours wait, while our bag- 
gage was being transferred to the train, we took the Plant 
System line for the north. We reached Savannah at about 
11 o'clock next morning. Owing to a conflict of orders we 
were obliged to lay here in sight of the steeples of the city 
till near 1 1 o'clock. We reached Augusta at nightfall, 
remaining on board the cars till morning. We marched 
out to Camp McKenzie next morning, finding the tents 
some other regiment had left, already up and waiting for us. 

The days passed by quietly. We had drills occasion- 
ally and dress parades in the evening and light guard duty. 

In the meantime we had opportunities to learn even 
more of Georgia hospitality. 

We were examined for muster-out on the 21st, turned 
in our guns and accoutrements on the 28th, and at noon of 
May 2nd, received the final papers that discharged us from 
the service of the government and made us private citizens 
once again. 

Need we add that the home-coming was a joyous 
event? A reception was tendered the members of Com- 
pany A at the Armory Hall May 6. Through the untiring 
efforts of the many friends, led by the Army and Navy 
League, a magnificent banquet was spread, at which sol- 
diers, both old and young, were feasted. Surely we owe 
a great debt of gratitude to those who, throughout the 
twelve months of our service, provided us many a comfort 
and cheered us with their sympathy! 

The following poem from the pen of Mart H. Bassett 
was presented to each member as a souvenir of this 
reception: 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 263 

Back to our homes, back to our hearts, 

Our boys are welcomed tonight — 
From tented fields to civil marts 

They come with records bright; 
The volunteers of Company A 

Are hailed with proud delight; 
We grasp your hands and proudly say: 

You're welcome home tonight. 

Not yours to stand where bullets flew, 

'Mid mad alarms of strife, 
But pestilence and fever grew 

Where brave you offered life, 
That Cuba might uplift her eye 

To Freedom's holy light. 
You willing were to do and die, 

You're welcome home tonight. 

We've missed you in the year that's past, 

The days have sped but slow; 
And now, we have you home at last, 

We'd have you all to know 
Areola viewed, with leaping joy, 

Our soldiers' record bright; 
And fondly tell each patriot boy 

You're welcome home to-night. 



COMPANY A ROSTER. 
When not otherwise specified, mustered in May 20, 
1898, and mustered out May 2, 1899. Figures following 
address indicate age. 

Joseph P. Barricklaw, Captain, Areola, 111. 
Charles M. Davis, First Lieutenant, Areola, 111. 
Hovey S. McBride, Second Lieutenant, Areola, 111. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 26 > 



SERGEANTS. 



Waldo, HazenJ., Mattoon, 111., Hotel. 

Bouck, Wm. E., Areola, 111., Farmer. 

Gere, Ross E., Areola, 111., 22, Farmer. 

Barricklaw, Samuel E. , Areola, 111., Farmer. 

Clement, Charles W., Oakland, 111., Farmer; made Cor- 
poral June 24, 1898; promoted to Sergeant Nov. 
19, 1898. 

Munsen, Fred F., Areola, 111., Clerk; made Corporal June 
24, 1898; promoted to Sergeant Men. 19, 1899. 

CORPORALS. 

Thomas, Alfred M., Areola, 111., 22, Tailor; made Corporal 

Aug. 30, 1898. 
Sitz, August G., Areola, 111., Farmer; made Corporal Aug. 

15, 1898. 
Walz, Charles A., Carnie, 111.; made Corporal June 24, 

1898. 
dayman, Earl, Areola, 111., Clerk; made Corporal June 

24, 1898. 
Smith, Henry W., Areola, 111., 24, Teacher; made Cor- 
poral June 24, 1898. 
Watson, John H., Chesterville, 111., 24, Farmer; made 

Corporal Oct. 20, 1898. 
Timm, William, Tuscola, 111. ; made Corporal Oct. 20, 

1898. 
Cross, William A., Tuscola, 111.; mustered in June 25, 

1898; made Corporal Oct. 20, 1898. 
Holler, Robert L., Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898; made Corporal Feb 1, 1899. 
Butler, Austin, Hindsboro, 111.; made Corporal Feb. 1, 

1809. 



266 HISTORY OF THE 

Nelson, Otis M. , Ottumwa, Iowa, Miner; mustered in June 
20, 1898; made Corporal Feb. 1, 1899. 

Fletcher, Montelle, Tuscola, 111.; made Corporal Mch. 19, 
1899- 

ARTIFICER. 

Scott, John, Areola, 111., 27, Farmer; made Artificer Feb. 
1, 1899. 

* WAGONER. 

Hall, Lee, Areola, 111., 30, Farmer. 

COOK. 

Bates, William S. , Hindsboro, 111., 26, Farmer; made Com- 
pany Cook Mch. 24, 1899. 

MUSICIANS. 

Skinner, Elgie R. , Areola, 111., 20, Student. 
Spellman, James, Areola, 111., 14, Painter. 

PRIVATES. 

Armstrong, Samuel G., Tuscola, 111., 32, Farmer. 

Bales, Stewart N., 18, Tuscola, 111., Stonecutter. 

Barnett, Mosie, 23, Areola, 111., Laborer. 

Boone, Winfield S., 18, Areola, 111., Student. 

Branson, John, 32, Chesterville, 111., Farmer. 

Brown, Albert, Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 

Bird, Harvey D., 22, Tuscola, 111., Carpenter. 

Chester, Earnest K., 24, Oakland, 111., Laborer. 

Conley, Guy, Sailors Springs, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Coon, Ollie P., 24, Hindsboro, 111., Painter. 
Cox, John C, Oakland, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Craft, Walter I., 25, Areola, 111., Laborer. 
Ehlenbach, Hans C, Areola, 111. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 

Fulton, John C, Philadelphia, Pa.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Gasman, Thomas, Jr., Tuscola, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Gray Fred M., Lovington, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Grigsby, Lon, Sullivan, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Hartford, William R., 23, Areola, 111., Farmer. 
Hendricks, Harry M., 23, Oakland, 111., Laborer. 
Howard, John W., Areola, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Kennedy, John, Findlay, Ohio; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Kurtz, Edwin A., 19, Oakland, 111., Laborer. 
Land, Edward J., Tuscola, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Lentz, John N., 21, Mt. Vernon, 111., Farmer. 
Logan, Stephen, Areola, 111. 

Ludolph, John H., Areola, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
McCallister, Thomas, Raridan, 111. 
McCowen, George, Sullivan, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Maris, George A., 32, Tuscola, 111., Engineer. 
Matthews, Riley B., 36, Areola, 111., Brakeman. 
Miller, George W., Atwood, 111. 
Northway, John, 26, Toledo, 111., Farmer. 
Pfeifer, Lawrence L., 24, Areola, 111., Farmer. 
Pigg, Leonard, Kemp, 111. 

Potter, Palo L., Lovington, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898 
Price, Thomas, 30, Areola, III, Farmer. 
Rhodes, James D., Plymouth, Ind. 
Sandy, Charles F., 19, Sullivan, 111., Student. 
Short, Harvey A., 26, Hindsboro, 111., Farmer. 
Short, Zeddie I., Hindsboro, 111. 
Sich, Henry, 27, Garrett, 111., Farmer. 
Sipes, Fred, 21, Areola, 111., Plasterer. 
Smith, Samuel R., 25, Areola, 111., Farmer. 
Southard, John M., 34, Arthur, 111., Laborer. 



268 HISTORY OF THE 

Strain, John A., Lovington, 111. ; mustered in June 20, 1898. 
Swisher, Earnest O., Sullivan, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Thein, John W. E., 35, Areola, 111., Farmer. 
Thompson, Alecuph R. , 21, Colony, Kans. , Farmer. 
Thompson, Eugene, Hawesville, Ky. ; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Watts, William W., 25, Hindsboro, 111., Farmer. 
Wingate, Ernest G., Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Wirshing, Edward A., 26, Tuscola, 111., Wood Engraver. 
Wolf, Albert J., 23, Hindsboro, 111., Farmer. 
Wood, Nicholas B., Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 

1898. 
Woodrow, George N., 20, Tamaroa, 111., Farmer. 
Wright, Chauncey S., Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 

20, 1898. 

RESIGNATIONS. 

Moore, Rice J., Second Lieutenant, 28, Areola, 111., 
Farmer; resigned November 9, 1898. 

DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY. 

Matthias, Charles W., August 26, 1898. 

Graham, Ernest, 24, Areola, 111., Farmer; discharged 
July 27, 1898. 

Tick, Julius, 21, Lafayette, Ind. , Laborer-; discharged 
September 12, 1898. 

Allen, Mark, 30, Oakland, 111., Laborer; discharged Sep- 
tember 17, 1898. 

Bonkofski, Alex., 34, Areola, 111., Painter; discharged 
September 17, 1898. 

McCarty, Thomas F., 28, Grand Rapids, Mich., Clerk; 
discharged December 29, 1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 269 



DISCHARGED BY ORDER. 

Funston, Rolley E., Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 
1898; discharged November 2, 1898. 

Million, Andy, Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898; 
discharged December 3, 1898. 

Cross, Harry E., Tuscola, 111.; discharged December 15, 
1898. 

Moorehead, Jason B. , 31, Tuscola, 111., Carpenter; dis- 
charged January 10, 1899. 

Parker, Chauncey J. , Casey, 111.; discharged Jan. 11, 1899. 

Little, Everette A., 21, Bookkeeper; appointed Corporal 
June 24, 1898; discharged Jan. 17, 1899. 

Carroll, Thomas, 21, Areola, 111., Farmer; discharged Jan. 
23, 1899. 

Davis, Albert D., Arcolo, 111., 19, Student; discharged 
Feb. 9, 1899. 

Jones, Christopher L., Clairmont, 111., 22, Farmer; dis- 
charged Feb. 16, 1899. 

Wilson, William D. , Tuscola, 111., 42, Carpenter; mus- 
tered in as Corporal, discharged June 3, 1898. 

Devine, Charles F., Rantoon, 111., 22, Cigarmaker; dis- 
honorably discharged July 24, 1898. 

Bland, Allen L. , Oakland, 111., 31, Plasterer; discharged 
without honor or travel pay, April 10, 1899. 

Harris, Claud S., Sullivan, 111.; mustered in June 20, 1898, 
discharged Feb. 24, 1899. 

Roges, Clay M., Baggstown, Ind., 27, Farmer; discharged 
Feb. 18, 1899. 

TRANSFERS. 

Wilkins, John P., Areola, 111., Farmer; transferred June 12, 
1898, to the U. S. Hospital Corps. 



270 HISTORY OF THE 

Gasmann, Hans, Tuscola, 111., Baker; transferred June 12, 

1898, to U. S. Hospital Corps. 
Frey, Leo J., Springfield, 111.; transferred to Regimental 

Band Dec. 24, 1898. 
Woodman, Joy, Virden, 111. ; transferred to Regimental 

Band Dec. 24, 1898. 

DEATHS. 

Clore, Allen F., Lovington, 111.; mustered in June 20, 
1898, died Sept. 15, 1898, at Lovington, 111. 

Matters, Sid H., Areola, 111., Clerk; died Oct. 6, 1898 at 
Jacksonville, Fla. 

Robertson, James W., Waterman, Ind. ; died Oct. 14, 
1898 at Jacksonville, Fla. 

DESERTED. 

Bird, Harvey D., Tuscola, 111., 22, Carpenter; deserted 
July 15, 1898, returned to duty without sentence. 



COMPANY E. 



ALVIN C. VORIS. 

Lieutenant Alvin C. Voris was born at Neoga, Illinois, 
January 5, 1876, where he still resides and where in the 
public schools he secured his early or preparatory educa- 
tion. In the fall of 1892, he entered the University of 
Illinois at Champaign, Illinois, where he spent two years, 
during which time, in connection with his regular Uni- 
versity studies, he also received something of a military 
education. 

In the fall of 1894, he entered the North Western Law 
School, and in the following fall, that of the Chicago Col- 
lege of Law, from which he graduated with the class of 
1896. Entered upon the practice of law in Beaumont, 
Texas, during the following year, and while there was a 
member of the fifth regiment of Texas Guards. The late 
war, or Spanish-American war, breaking out while he was 
spending some time at his father's home in Neoga, he 
joined Company E, Fourth Illinois National Guards, and 
was mustered into the United States Volunteer service as 
a private, on the 20th day of May, 1898. On July 1, of 
the same year he was appointed corporal of Company E, 
and was commissioned second lieutenant of same Decem- 
ber 8, 1898, filling this position until the Company was 
mustered out of the United States service. From January 
20th to April 13, 1899, he filled the position of judge ad- 
vocate of a general court martial. 



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FOURTH ILLINOIS. 273 

HISTORY OF COMPANY E. 

Company E, ofMattoon, Illinois, was organized in that 
city on the 12th day of March, 1891, and became a part of 
the Fourth Illinois National Guard. Its first commander 
was Emory Andrews, with Charles E. Dole, first lieuten- 
ant, and Dr. C. E. Mack, second lieutenant. 

During the year 1892 Captain Andrews resigned his; 
command, and Lieutenant Dole was commissioned to take 
the place thus vacated. This occasioned a vacancy in the 
first lieutenancy, which was filled by the commissioning of; 
Charles Rudy. Lieutenant Swan tendered his resignation* 
some months later, and Frank Sencebaugh was regularly 
put in his place. Later on Captain Dole laid aside his 
rank by resignation, and Lieutenant Rudy was duly quali- 
fied to assume the duties thus laid aside. Frank E. Norvell 
was thereupon elected to take the first lieutenancy, and in 
due time commissioned as such. Next in the order of 
changes came the resignation of Second Lieutenant Sence- 
baugh, which vacancy was filled by the election and com- 
missioning of Samuel E. Owen to that rank. In 1896- 
Lieutenant Owen made good the record of the company by 
tendering his resignation, which opened the way for the 
election of Richard L. Wright, whose commission bears the 
date of July 14, 1896, only to hold the office until Novem- r 
ber, 1897, when he in turn duly tendered his resignation,, 
and later took his place in the ranks of the retired. This 
checkered history began to take on a new phase of changes, 
when, by order from higher authority, it was recruited up 
to the strength of one hundred and twenty enlisted men. 

Following hard upon the heels of this came the anx- 
iously anticipated order of April 26, 1898, at 9 A. M., call- 
ing the company to join the regiment at Springfield, Illinois; 
and accordingly on the 27th, at 5:10 A. M., the company 

18 



274 HISTORY OF THE 

took leave of their friends and embarked for the state 
capital, where they arrived at 11:30 A. M., of the same 
day, and joined the other companies of the regiment in the 
barns on the fair grounds. 

On the 10th of May, while in Camp Tanner at Spring- 
field, the company elected Second Lieutenant Krick to the 
position from which Lieutenant Wright resigned, thus rais- 
ing him one step in the line of promotion. A few days 
later the company was marched into the presence of the 
United States examining board of physicians in the State 
House and went through a careful physical examination, 
and out of the number, about 110, who reported for this 
test of fitness for further duties, only eight failed to receive 
the approval of the examiners. But as the company was 
not allowed to retain as its full strength more than 84 
enlisted men and their officers, the number of qualified 
men had to be reduced by subtracting 28 from their 
number. 

With these eighty-four as its composite, the company 
was mustered into the United States service on the 20th of 
May, 1898, and six days later boarded a train for the sunny 
South, thus ending our first brief period of camp life and 
drill. On the 29th we landed at Jacksonville, Florida, and 
were marched to our quarters in Camp Cuba Libre, in the 
suburb Springfield, where we found anything but an inviting 
spot to an Illinoisan, so thoroughly unaccustomed to such 
stretches of burning sand as were presented to our view in 
this place. 

Here we, like obedient sons of our great father, Uncle 
Sam, entered upon a career of grubbing, ditching, filling of 
swamps, building of fountains, etc., etc , while the busi- 
ness of drilling and marching was unremittingly kept up. 

During our stay in this camp the companies of the 
regiment were ordered to be recruited up to the quota of 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 275 

one hundred and six men and three officers, but by some 
mis-cue the specific order in reference to this company, as 
perhaps some others also, only called for one hundred and 
three enlisted men and three officers. 

With this enlargement of the company, we later accom- 
panied the regiment, to another part of Camp Cuba Libre, 
which we called Camp Panama, having done a good job of 
clearing for some land speculators at the former place, and 
which it seemed was to be continued in this new camp. 

But whatever the plans of our "superiors" were in 
this respect, the rapid rise and spread of typhoid fever and 
other diseases held us in check from anything quite so ex- 
tensive as in the former camp. 

This company had its full share of this scourge, hav- 
ing at times thirty-five on the sick roll, not including many 
who were "ailing" sufficiently to scarcely be able to attend 
to the duties devolving upon them. Yet the prevalence of 
disease made it necessary to "hold down" the sick roll to 
a minimum, at least for appearance. 

After a time of this new experience in army life it was 
thought best to remove the regiment from these land im- 
provement camps, and accordingly we were transferred to 
the city of Jacksonville, where we entered upon the novel 
duties of provost guard, being located at Major Harrison's 
headquarters. 

After a brief period of service here, in which the boys 
rapidly recuperated their strength, we were removed to 
Savannah, Georgia, where we continued on provost duty, 
being located at the suburb of the city called Colinsville, 
and were assigned the unpleasant task of guarding the street 
cars. And while this furnished us with plenty of car riding 
and pleasant diversions, it brought also enough of the oppo- 
site to beat back any monotony that might attempt to creep 
in, for it was not uncommon that we had to haul in the 



2j6 HISTORY OF THE 

"drunks," of course from other regiments encamped with- 
out the city, and confine them in the " bull pen," where we 
treated them to a shower bath from the hose, a thing in 
many cases very essential to the health of the victim, but 
uncomfortable to the stray grayback that might chance to 
have missed his lair in the seams of clothing before the 
ordeal was fully on. 

While at Savannah, Georgia, Lieut. Frank E. Norvell 
resigned, September, 1898, opening the way for the promo- 
tion of Second Lieutenant Krick to his place, and the com- 
missioning of corporal, Alvin C. Voris, to the rank of Sec- 
ond Lieutenant, being commissioned to that rank Decem- 
ber, 1898. 

Our last days at Savannah, which ended January 3, 
were spent in Camp Onward, and on the practice march 
and daily drill, duties that had not troubled us while on 
provost duty, and which had left us somewhat rusty as to 
military tactics. 

Sunday, January 1, 1899, will long be remembered as 
the day so long looked for, the day of good tidings, tidings 
that brought a shout of gladness which echoed out upon 
the still chill air of the evening. It was the news that we 
had almost despaired of hearing, — orders to move to Cuba.- 
Accordingly on the 3d of this initial month, with the rest 
of our regiment and the Ninth Illinois Volunteers, we 
started on our first ocean voyage, which permitted some of 
us to realize what it is to have one's stomach try to find 
larger space by getting outside of him, nevertheless we suc- 
ceeded in retaining possession of all except its contents. 
Our experiences being about that of our comrades in the 
regiment we pass over the little events leading up to our 
sitting up house or tent keeping in Camp Columbia near 
the railroad station Buena Vista. 

From this beautiful camp, after thirteen days' rest and. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 277 

camp duties, the third battalion, of which Company E was 
a factor, started on an eight-days' practice march to the inte- 
rior of the island, passing over one of the beautiful military 
roads which was built in the days of Spain's glory, and on 
which doubtless no American soldier had ever before set 
foot. Reaching the inland city of Guines, which is the 
terminus of this excellent road, we went into camp and 
during the days of our tarrying visited the places of inter- 
est and otherwise, learning the customs and habits of this 
to us strange people and purchasing many articles associ- 
ated with the Spanish-Cuban war, to bear home as trophies 
or souvenirs of this our first outing in this delightful island. 
After more than two days rest we retraced our steps, 
reach Camp Columbia on Sunday the 29th, about the 
same hour of our departure, 9 A. M. 

On the 26th of February our company was detached 
from the regiment and placed on provost duty in the towns 
of Marianao and Quemados, at provost headquarters, where 
we spent forty-six days, returning to Camp Columbia on 
the 1 2th of April to find the camp broken up and all in 
readiness to leave for our own beloved land. Joining the 
rest of our battalion, we marched to the Buena Vista rail- 
road station and took the train for Havana, where, after a 
march across its entire length, through the hot sun and 
narrow paved streets, we called a halt at San Jose docks, 
from which we were conveyed by United States tugs and 
lighters to the "scrubby" little side-wheeler Whitney, of 
the Plant system, and about 6 P. M. steamed out of the 
beautiful and famous Havana harbor for the home land. 
Reaching Egmont Key, some twenty-five miles out 
Tampa Bay from that city, we entered upon a three days 
quarantine, being confined in a small barbed wire en- 
closure of perhaps less than one acre. We put it tamely 
when we say we were heartily glad to see the dawn of. the 



278 HISTORY OF THE 

day in which we were to pass out from these narrow quar- 
ters and embark on the little steamer Margaret for Port 
Tampa. Here we were soon on board a well-equipped 
train of the Plant system and moving with a true American 
gait for our new and final camp, McKenzie, at Augusta, 
Ga., where we met a cheery welcome from the First and 
Second battalions, and with them quietly awaited the dawn 
of the second day of May, when Uncle Sam would give us 
our clearance papers, and with a few greenback thank-you's, 
kindly permit us to return to our homes and peaceful oc- 
cupations. 

This company, although it had its full share of sick- 
ness during its career as United States Volunteers, yet it 
was the only one in the Fourth Illinois that did not lose a 
man by death. 



ROSTER OF COMPANY E. 

Rudy, Charles E. , 37, Captain, Mattoon, 111., Merchant. 

Norvell, F. E., 36, First Lieutenant, Mattoon, 111., Paper- 
hanger. 

Krick, Wm. A., 24, Second Lieutenant, Mattoon, 111., 
Clerk. 

SERGEANTS. 

Wright, R. L., 25, Mattoon, 111., Clerk. 
Garrett, Brown J., 27, Mattoon, 111., Clerk. 
Woods, Martin D., 27, Mattoon, 111., Brick-mason. 
Beem, Arthur M., 23, Mattoon, 111., Fireman. 
Jones, Oliver O., 16, Mattoon, 111., Student. 
Smithley, Wm. A., 32, Mattoon, 111., Brakeman. 

CORPORALS. 

Cox, H. M., 24, Mattoon, 111., Salesman. 
Springer, Wm. H., 21, Mattoon, 111., Laborer. 



m* 




•280 HISTORY OF THE 

Henneke, Edwin C, 23, Mattoon, 111., Farmer. 

Tracy, Joseph, 26, Mattoon, 111., Farmer. 

Ewing, Charles C, 21, Neoga, 111., Clerk. 

Glascock, Jasper, 43, Mattoon, 111., Laborer; discharged 
October 19, 1898. 

Voris, Alvin C. , 22, Neoga, III., Lawyer; promoted to cor- 
poral July 1, 1898, Second Lieutenant December 
22, 1898. 

McFadden, John A., 40, Mattoon, 111., Clerk; made corpo- 
ral July r, 1898. 

Matthews, Fred W., 18, Carlinville, 111., Student; pro- 
moted corporal July 1, 1898, discharged December 
3, 1898. 

Irving, Wm., 22, Humbolt, 111., Farmer; promoted corpo- 
ral July 1, 1898. 

Sullivan, Wm. W. , 22, Mattoon, 111., Farmer; made cor- 
poral July 1, 1898. 

Roberts, Carlton E., 25, St Louis, Mo., Electrician; made 
corporal July 1, 1898. 

MUSICIAN. 

Baldwin, Harry O., 23, Mattoon, 111., Clerk; mustered in 
as bugler. 

ARTIFICER. 

Keller, Edward M., 29, Neoga, 111., Carpenter; appointed 
artificer July 1, 1898. 

WAGONER. 

Workman, John F., 29, Windsor, 111., Butcher; mustered 
in as wagoner. 

PRIVATES. 

Albeck, Fred F., 18, Mattoon, 111., Printer. 
Aye, Charles, 21, Mattoon, 111., Farmer; appointed corpo- 
ral December 23, 1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 

Alton, Clarence, 2., Mattoon, 111., Harness-maker 
Athey, John, 24, Mattoon, 111., Laborer; mastered ,n Jane 

Auld, Franks 8 ; 22, Shelbyville, 111., Teacher; mastered 

in Tune 17- l8 9 8 - r , .^ 

Bassett, Albert A., ,8, Neoga, 111., Laborer; transfered to 

band November 20, 1898. 
Burnett, George W., 22, Mattoon, 111., Fireman. 
Ra u win w l , 32, Mattoon, 111., Clerk. 
Kenney Wm. b. «. Mattoon, 111., Fireman; mastered 

in June 17, 1898. 
Lozier, Walter W., 28, Hnmbolt, 111 Farmer. 
Lacy, Edwin M„ 24, Neoga, III, Lineman; transfered to 

Signal Corps. 
Lash George G„ 27, Windsor, 111., Laborer. 
Uctenwalter, Joseph. 22, Shelbyville, 111., Laborer. 
Michales, John V 42, Mattoon, 111., Carpenter; mustered 

in Tune 17, 1898. ; 

Maxedon, Charles E., 25, Sullivan, 111., Coal-miner. 
Melick, Edwin, 30, Humboldt, 111., Farmer. 
Melick Amos W., 26, Humboldt, 111-, Farmer. 
Moris Frank H., 20, Lafayette, Ind., Blacksmith; pro- 
moted corporal December 23, 1898. 
Montgomery, Truman, 20, Windsor, 111., Laborer. 
Moxley, Aldin H., 21, Neoga, 111., Laborer. 
Maxey, Theodore, 30, Attwood, 111., Farmer. 
Mansur, George, 29, Cincinnati, Ohio Clerk. 
Mercer Walter T., Shelbyville, 111., Farmer. 
Needham, Leslie A., 2!, Neoga, 111., Farmer; mustered 

in Tune 17, l8 9 8 - , 

Newman, James H., 2., Mattoon, III, Laundryman, 

mustered in June 17, l8 9 8 - , 

Norwood, Harry L, 22, Boston, Mass., Baker; mustered 
in June 28, 1898, deserted September 20, 1898. 



282 HISTORY OF THE 

Osborn, Leonard A., 25, Neoga, 111., Student/ 

Parker, Wm. M., 24, Charleston, 111., Merchant; mustered 
in June 17, 1898. 

Patheal, Wm. H. , 18, Mattoon, 111., Copper-smith; mus- 
tered in June 17, 1898. 

Ross, James T., 24, Mattoon, 111., Coachman. 

Robinson, George W., 24, Mattoon, 111., Plasterer. 

Robinson, Robert, 19, Mattoon, 111., Teamster; mustered 
in June 17, 1898. 

Richmond, Charles F., 29, Mattoon, 111., Clerk; mustered 
in June 28, 1898. 

Steers, Albert, 38, Mattoon, 111., Printer; mustered in June 
17, 1898. 

Stairwalt, F. B., 21, Shelbyville, 111., Student; mustered 
in June 17, 1898. 

Shutts, Charles H., 21, Mattoon, 111., Railroad call boy; 
mustered in June 17, 1898. 

Spohn, Harry C. , 21, Mattoon, 111., Book-keeper; mus- 
tered in June 17, 1898. 

Smith, Oliver, 20, Jonesville, Ind., Laborer; appointed 
corporal December 23, 1898. 

Shinn, Oliver M., 20, Mattoon, 111., Clerk. 

Beck, Curtis, 21, Neoga, 111., Farmer. 

Briggs, William B., 38, Mattoon, 111., Blacksmith. 

Boren, Guy H., 22, Milton, 111., Undertaker. 

Bowen, Clyde L. , 21, Windsor, 111., Laborer. 

Bartles, Thomas J., 26, Mattoon, 111., Laborer. 

Bayne, Frank, 20, Neoga, 111., Laborer. 

Bolan, William S. , 27, Gays, l\\. f Carpenter; mustered in 
June 17, 1898. 

Buchanan, William D., 28, Neoga, 111., Fireman; mustered 
in June 17, 1898. 

Bond, William E. , 42, Mattoon, 111., Cooper; mustered in 
June 17, 1898. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



Coons Leon E., 19, ^ ttoon ' IU - Switchman - f , 

Cooper, Clarence E., 3C Mattoon, 111., Engmeer; mustered 

in Tune 17, 1898. 
Cramer, Harry W., 20, She.byville, 111., Carpenter; mus- 

tered in June 17, 1898. 
Cullum, Hubert J., 2., Neoga, 111., Tinner; discharged 

Dec 19. 1898, disability. 
Cox. Charles, 3.. Kinmundy, 111., Brakeman. 
Cunningham. William F„ 24, Mattoon, 11 Farmer. 
Davidson, William W„ 2,, Neoga, 111., Labored 
DeGarmo, Francis M., 27, Mattoon, 1., Hostle r. 
Everhart, Frank D.. 21, Carliuville, 111., Laborer. 
Eberhart, Frederick, 22, Neoga, 111., Laborer. 
Elliott, John E., 26, Mattoon, III, Jeweler; mustered ,n 

Tune 17, 1898. 
Findley, Virgil W„ 23, Mattoon, 111. , Mailcarner; discharged 

March 18, 1899, disability. 
Fancher, George A., 2,, Neoga, Ilk, Laborer; discharged 

March 18, 1899, disability. 
Fosnock, Joseph W„ 36, Mattoon, Ilk, Laborer; d,s- 

charged. 
Fulfer, Jacob A., 30, Mattoon, 111., Laborer. 
Gibson, Albert, 26, deny, 111., Laborer. 
Good, Charles W., *, Neoga, 111., Teacher; djscharged 

March 6, 1899. 
Greenawalt, Allen L., 21, Neoga, III, Laborer. 
Harris Everet B., 21, Shelbyville, 111., Laborer. 
Hall Hiram V., 20, Mattoon, 111-, Laborer. 
Susband, Thomas E., i 9 , Neoga, 111., Laborer; mustered 

in June 17, 1898. 
Hovvk, George F., 21, Neoga, 111., Printer 
Jones, Joseph B., 35, Mattoon, 111., Cabinetmaker; mus- 
tered in June 17, l8 9 8 . 



284 HISTORY OF THE 

Keller, Wade, 21, Mattoon, 111., Machinist; mustered in 

June 17, 1898. 
Keller, Walter C. , Neoga, 111., Laborer, mustered in June 

17, 1898. 
Strawn, Joseph, 24, Mattoon, 111., Farmer. 
Sackville, Louis T., 21, Mattoon, 111., Farmer. 
Seaman, Thomas M., 31, Toledo, 111., Farmer. 
Summerlin, Iran, 39, Mattoon, 111., Printer. 
Sparks, George S., 33, Hillsboro, Ohio, Laborer. 
Tarpley, Joseph P., 24, Oleny, 111., Laborer. 
Tucker, William I., 32, Detroit, Mich., Clerk; discharged 

Dec. 25, 1898, disability. 
Volaw, Alvin C. , 21, Neoga, 111., Farmer. 
Welsh, Martin, 24, Mattoon, 111., Clerk. 
Elyu, Regan, 20, Shelbyville, 111., Laborer; transferred to 

Hospital Corps. 
Cullum, A. L., 25, Neoga, 111., Pharmacist; transferred to 

Hospital Corps. 
Dibble, Allen P., Mattoon, 111. 

In all cases not otherwise mentioned, mustered in 
May 20, 1898, and mustered out on May 2, 1899, at Au- 
gusta, Georgia. 



THE REGIMENT. 



While the history of this regiment, like that of most of 
of its companions, dates back in its organization several 
years earlier than its enrollment as a part of the United 
States forces, which were called out on account of the in- 
sulting and encroaching attitude of our sister nation, Spain; 
yet we do not propose to enter into that part of its career, 
only as it incidently relates to that of its history as a United 
States Volunteer regiment. 

We also deem it wise, as far as clearness will admit, 
to avoid any repetition of that which pertains wholly, or in 
part, to any particular company, yet not forgetting the very 
potent fact that these lesser organizations are a part of and 
so closely related to the regiment, as to make their every 
act a part of its history, however remote the connection 
may seem. 

The composite of this regiment is of the young blood 
and sturdy manhood of central Illinois, coming from the 
fields of her thrifty farmers, the shops, stores and offices of 
her provident towns, with no small sprinkling from the pro- 
fessional ranks. 

The initial, therefore, of the present organization as a 
regiment, was the assembling of the several companies of 
the national guards at Springfield, Illinois, in answer to an 
order from Gov. John R. Tanner, issued on the 25th of 
April, 1898, which assembling was accomplished within 
the brief space of forty-eight hours. Headquarters were 
established in one of the barns of the fair grounds, with 
Col. John B. Washburn in command, while the companies 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



287 



were located in other barns in close proximity thereto. 
Scarcely had the camp been established, when it became 
very apparent that there was friction somewhere near the 
center of power, and in a few days, Colonel Washburn 
tendered his resignation (a variety of reason therefor gain- 
ing publicity), which was promptly accepted by the gov- 
ernor, and on the 19th day of May, 1898, Casimir Andel, 
of Belleville, was commissioned by the governor to take the 
place thus vacated. But a few days elapsed before Colonel 
Andel reported and at once assumed the duties made in- 
cumbent upon him in his new relation to the regiment. 

Time hung heavily on our hands during the weeks that 
intervened before the time for our examination arrived. 
But it came, freighted with many disappointments and sur- 
prises; for the big, muscular fellow that always had things 
largely his own way about the village, could not understand 
why he was not permitted to go farther than the first physi- 
cian, who turned him back to readjust his wardrobe, 
leaving him in blissful ignorance as to a serious lack of lung 
power. Not less puzzled was the fellow whose chest would 
expand like a poucher pigeon, when he stood before the 
last examiner, who kindly passed him on to join the civilian 
"host of his native land, to learn later the serious defects in 
the great engine of his physical being, which, so far as he 
knew, had never made a mistroke. But the surprise came 
to on-looking comrades when the fellow with all the brawn 
necessary to endure the hardships of the farm, or tramp the 
weary miles with a full hunter's equipment strapped about 
him, claimed he was sorely afflicted with about all the ills 
flesh is heir to, and moved away from the examiner with a 
slight hitch in his gait and a solemn look on his face. 

But this part of the programme was not without its 
touching scenes— when those with buoyant hope and strong 
desire to attend their comrades still farther in the experi- 



288 HISTORY OF THE 

ences of the soldier were seen to turn away and weep 
because they were rejected. 

All these preliminaries being disposed of, then came 
the work of uniforming the men — a thing very much needed 
in many cases, as the men had come to camp poorly clad, 
anticipating an early issue from Uncle Sam's store house, 
which was not fully realized, doubtless owing to the great 
demand made upon the quartermaster's department in fit- 
ting out the vast number of men that were needed imme- 
diately at the front, with but a very brief time in which 
to do it. 

Added to this shortage was that of blankets, a need 
keenly felt at this season of the year, even though quar- 
tered in the commodious, well-arranged barns on the fair 
grounds. For even here we had no little experience in the 
hardships that fall to the soldier's lot, growing out of rainy 
weather and chilly atmosphere that seemed to find the very 
marrow of our bones, giving the old-fashioned ague shake 
to our chins, while our nerves fairly crept, as if seeking a 
secure retreat from this searching element of the north pole. 
But with all this, our condition and that of some others 
was far superior to what some companies experienced who 
were located on low ground, which was soon flooded by the 
heavy rains that visited our state during the month of May, 
while instead of barns, their shelter was the common tent. 

But these discomforts of our regiment were not per- 
mitted to continue long, for no sooner was the fact known 
to our friends in their comfortable homes, from which we 
had so recently gone out, than thoughtful loving hearts be- 
gan to plan, while strong hands, flush purses and well filled 
bedbing closets were brought into requisition, and soon large 
boxes of the needed articles came rolling into our quarters. 

We may note in a passing way, that one of the causes 
incident to these discomforts, was the fact that some com- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 2SO, 

panies, anticipating a large falling off under government 
examination, had before leaving for camp, recruited their 
companies above the proper quota, increasing the number 
anticipated when preparations for their comfort were being 
made by the quartermaster's department. 

Along with these conditions, so undesirable, came 
another trial that tests the metal of which a fellow is made, 
especially in the region of his appetite, viz : the dire want 
of those palatable delicacies that crowned the table in a 
goodly number of our homes; the very thought of which 
awoke the glands in proximity to our masticating machinery 
to a provoking activity, which in earlier years was, in com- 
mon parlance known as " making the teeth water." Nor 
would it stop with this encroachment upon us in our waking 
hours, but intruded itself into the ' ' half-fed " soldier's peace- 
ful slumber on the "soft side" of the loft floor, or his 
downy bed of clay in the stall of some thoroughbred of the 
bovine family. But betimes the home friends would break 
this spell of woes by ' ' dropping in upon us, " with well laden 
baskets of the very article that would answer our dreams, 
and gratify our appetites. 

If space would admit, we would like very, much to 
give more than a mere passing mention of other severe 
trials, as that of the heart pangs caused by recalling the 
smiles and glances of the fair one whose affection had not 
perhaps quite reached the point of cohesion, and might be 
won by the other fellow whose patriotism was still a dor- 
mant quantity. But fortunately for the regiment, the 
number of this class was small. 

Thus all and in all there was an evening up of these 
ills and joys, until later on the overdrawn stores ot Uncle 
Sam's quartermaster's department were sufficiently re- 
plenished to enable us to exchange the little that remained 



29O HISTORY OF THE 

of our wardrobes, for the others that made us presentable, 
either side foremost. 

So likewise, in due time, the ordnance stores were 
opened, and the new recruits were equipped with Spring- 
field rifles and other accoutrements necessary to give him 
the appearance of a soldier and fit him for practical drills 
and impressive dress parades, both of which were relent- 
lessly kept up until the day we struck our tents in Camp 
Tanner and boarded the train for new scenes and a less 
monotonous career. 

While we would not attempt to create the impression 
that the weeks spent in this camp were not devoted to such 
duties as were thought to be necessary to the fitness of the 
troops for more arduous and trying service, which seemed 
to be at no great distance in the future, — duties to which 
the men submitted themselves with becoming patience and 
zeal, being stimulated by the thrilling reports of the before 
unheard-of victories over the enemy by our marine forces — 
still, considering the inexperience and unhardened condi- 
tion of the men, these first weeks of camp life were per- 
haps as keenly felt as any in the entire history of the 
regiment. 

Once upon a time, as the story goes, while one of the 
sentinels of this regiment was faithfully performing his 
duty on one of the guard posts during the somber shades 
of night, his attention was arrested by approaching foot- 
falls, and called out: "Halt! who comes there?" Just 
then the approaching object accidentally stumbled, and 
proceeded to express his disapproval of such awkwardness, 
or something else, before answering the guard, and in no 
unsubdued tone he exclaimed (pronouncing the sacred 
name of our Saviour), whereupon the guard sang out: 
"Call out the Chaplain." Of course, such a personage 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 29 I 

would find ready access through our lines, especially where 
one of such pious thoughts walked the post. 

On the 25th of May, about 8 o'clock P. M., orders 
were received directing the colonel to report with his com- 
mand at Tampa, Fla., immediately, and on the following 
day we had our first experience in packing our outfits and 
getting ready for a move — a task of no extraordinary char- 
acter, as we had little more than the clothes we wore and 
our blankets. 

Moving out to the railroad on the morning of the 26th 
of May we entered a train of well fitted cars, which was 
divided into three sections, where we waited with more or 
less patience for the moving of wheels, until the hours of 
the afternoon grew very narrow, when we pulled out of the 
capital city and hastened toward the land of sunshine, 
meeting with ovations all along the route, but especially 
after we reached the southern states, where the far-famed 
hospitality of these people was realized in a way not soon 
to be forgotten by the boys who appreciated their palatable 
dainties. 

While enroute to the point of our destination, on the 
28th of May, Colonel Andel received telegraphic orders 
from the war department, to report to the commanding 
officers of the United States forces at Jacksonville, Florida, 
which he proceeded to do by turning our train from its 
proposed route toward the last named place, where we ar- 
rived about 2 o'clock A. M. Sunday, the 29th. This brought 
us into the Seventh Army Corps, where we were assigned 
to the Second Division commanded by Brigadier Gen. A. 
K. Arnold, and the Second Brigade under command of Col. 
D. V. Jackson, Fiftieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. 

On June 13, 1898, Brig. -Gen. W. A. Bancroft re- 
ported to the commander of the Seventh Army Corps, and 



292 HISTORY OF THE 

was assigned command on the Second Brigade, relieving 
Colonel Jackson. 

On the 5th of August the regiment was transferred 
from the Second Division, Second Brigade, to the Third 
Division under Brig. -Gen. Lucius F. Hubbard and the Sec- 
ond Brigade under Brig. -Gen. James H. Barkley. 

On the 29th and 30th of September and the 1st of Octo- 
ber, the regiment was detailed by companies to do provost 
duty in Jacksonville, Florida, and ordered to report to Pro- 
vost Marshal Major Russel B. Harrison. The regiment 
continued on provost duty during its stay in this locality, 
and during which time, on the re-organization of the Corps, 
it was transferred to the First Division under command of 
Maj.-Gen. J. Warren Keifer, and to the Second Brigade 
under command of Brig. -Gen. H. T. Douglas. While all 
this was going on in camp " Cuba Libre," the Fourth was 
having experiences not any more pleasant in its new quar- 
ters into which they had just moved. But their condition 
was very much improved by the kindly hospitality of the 
citizens of Jacksonville, and vacant buildings which we did 
not hesitate to occupy even without an invitation. Still it 
must not be inferred, that with all these advantages our lot 
was one to be desired or highly enjoyed. 

We here diverge to give place to events touching the 
division. Along with all the other ills met with in Camp 
Cuba Libre was the storm of October 2. The day preced- 
ing was one somewhat ominous of storm, yet not enough 
so to have awakened any thought of an unusual occurrence, 
but the wildest midnight dream was to be realized in a few 
hours, for scarce had they pillowed their heads on pillow- 
less cots, when the storm that had been hatching from the 
serpent's egg in the sea, burst in upon them in its fury, 
while the rain fell in sheets rather than drops, beating 
through our time-worn or otherwise non-rainproof tents. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 293 

Not only did the howling of the wind and cracking of 
the canvas bid successful defiance to the god of slumber 
and sweet dreams, but we awoke more fully to the fact that 
danger was upon us, and soon there was a stir in camp, 
and the sound of hammers evidenced that tent pegs were 
receiving attention, while voices, keyed well up in " G," 
told of the fruitlessness of all such efforts in this region of 
sand. Toward the dawn of day the storm began to assu- 
age, and the early day, found about all out trying to learn 
who, if any, had met with more trouble and loss than they, 
for in the contest some of them had lost more than their 
hats through the collapse of their tents. But while con- 
soling ourselves that the worst was over and that so little 
damage had been done, as though it had been hiding in 
some quiet nook noting the varied comments on its very 
recent visit and inability, until whet into a rage, it rushed 
upon us afresh, and with such increased fury as to put to 
shame the blow and rain torrents of the past night. Not 
only did it moan, but shrieked and howled among the 
pines, prostrating the weaker ones and compelling others 
to bow and kiss the earth with their topmost boughs, while 
only those sturdy from age were able to maintain anything 
near an upright posture. 

The experiences of the night were but a foretaste of 
what each rapidly recurring blast now told us was at hand. 
Tents succumbed and went down in rapid succession, and 
the belongings of their occupants were scattered and 
drenched by the heavy fall of rain, necessitating prompt 
and vigorous effort to keep them in camp. The Third 
Division Hospital was feeling the weight of it, and the few 
who had rushed to its protection, proving insufficient for 
the task, General Barclay came to the rescue, not only 
putting forth his personal effort, but also urging others to 
come to the help of those who were battling with disease. 



294 



HISTORY OF THE 



Poles were carried and laid on the lower edge of the side- 
walls and men stood upon them as weights. Athletes 
climbed to the top and sat astride the ridge poles, others 
tugged at the ropes that had drawn their pegs, while with- 
in the nurses and others held blankets and other articles 
over the sick to shelter them from the rain that beat like 
mist through the canvas roofs above them. It was by 
such heroic efforts, in which none felt too high to lend a 



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STORM SCENE AT 3D DIVISION HOSPITAL. 



strong helping hand, that the entire line of hospital tents 
were not demolished and the sick left to the mercy of an 
almost unmerciful storm. 

On the 20th of October, the regiment was removed to 
the city of Savannah, Georgia, in advance of the Seventh 
Army Corps, where it continued to do provost service until 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



'■9$ 



the 4 th and 5 th of December, when it was ordered to quart- 
ers in Camp Onward, at the southeast part of the city of 

. Savannah. , 

After outlining these changes, we return to take up 
other phases of the history of the regiment, pertaining to 
its stay in the vicinity of Jacksonville and Savannah 
Having as before stated, reached Jacksonville, Florida, in 
early morning of May 29, we remained on board the train 
until daylight, taking our breakfast before d.sembarking. 

Having marched some two and a half or three miles we 
found ourselves in a suburban district of the city, called 
Springfield, where our quarters in the great camp << Cuba 
Libre" were located, and which we named Camp Spring- 
field, as it so well fitted the name of the capital city of our 

^Our camp site evidently was selected during the dry 
season of the year, since there is a wet season here as we 
learned from experience later. 

' The site was a level sandy stretch of country with 
nothing inviting about it, at least to an Illinoisan, so accus- 
tomed to the clay soil and its luxuriant growth of his own 

LtG Still this camp was not entirely void of vegetation, be- 
ing overgrown to a great extent with dwarfed pine and 
palmetto (for the heat and rain here would dwarf anything 
but sand burrs and graybacks), which furnished very little 
shade and much discomfort. Thus our initiation was any- 
thing but that which tends to awaken admiration, since our 
arrival was welcomed by a blistering hot sun, that heated 
the sand almost to the burning point during the middle of 
the day, while that which was expected to furnish us 
shelter therefrom was scarcely more than a mockery as a 
shade; for these little sand pines are simply crowned with 
a small tuft or crest of needle like leaves. On the other 



296 HISTORY OF THE 

hand the palmetto plants had to be cut away or dug up in 
order to secure a spot large enough on which to lie down 
with comfort. 

Having come into camp in the forenoon, the heat con- 
tinued to intensify, driving us to every imaginable device 
for protection. One of the simplest and most effective 
used in some parts of camp, being constructed by planting 
four of our guns with bayonets attached, points downward, 
forming a square, and then stretched a blanket over them 
attaching each corner to a gun, and propping the center with 
another gun. This formed an excellent protection from the 
sun's rays over a small space, but not from the wind, made 
unusually hot by its passage over the burning sand. But as 
the day wore on tentage was brought to camp, and with 
eagerness we moved to the pitching of the same. 

Once settled, the grubbing, ditching, bridge building 
and other like duties attending the clearing and beautifying 
of a new country were entered into in a systematic and 
general way to the utilizing of about every enlisted man in 
the regiment, giving to our regiment the name of "The 
Florida Land Improvement Company." 

While here mails reached the camp something after 
the olden time style of private conveyance. Nor was there 
danger of having to leave any of it in keeping of the city 
office for want of sufficient capacity to bring it to camp, 
however prolific our friends might be with the quill, fertile 
brain and loving hearts, as a picture of one of the " cannon 
ball " mail wagons will illustrate. 

It was here and at such service, often wading slush 
and water several inches deep in order to accomplish it, we 
prepared the soil and planted many and deep the seeds that 
yielded to us so bountifully the harvest of disease and death 
which we gathered in the camp at Panama Park, to which 
we were removed; but not until it would have been appar- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



297 



ent to either "half of a natural born fool cut in two in the 
middle" that nothing could ever redeem that sand swamp. 
Although mud was a thing never seen here, however 
much rain visited the country, to have entertained the idea 
that we would ever be disturbed by this element would 
have been thought an indication of approaching insanity. 
But these delusions, as they proved, were completely swept 
away by the rainy season, which stole gently upon us about 




July, and for several weeks the rains were a daily occur- 
rence, and the gentle shower became a torrent that filled 
every low place in the camp, until some of the companies 
had to build bridges to get from one part of the camp to 
another, while they were often necessitated to wade from 
place to place, in protecting their tents and belongings, 



298 HISTORY OF THE 

in water from six inches to two feet deep. Among those 
who met with these difficulties to the greatest extent were 
Company B and those of the Third Battalion — the last 
three or four squads nearest the mess tents having to wade 
in and elevate their tent floors on piles or stakes and ' ' walk 
the water" on going to their meals, while the frogs sang 
their lullaby under the tent floors to sooth the minds of the 
sleepers above. 

Added to all this was the fact that our tents, which 




CORDUROY BRIDGE. 



were made of material little better than common shirting, 
were almost no protection from the torrents of water that 
fell upon them, so that our ponchos had to be used as the 
top cover of our beds. 

Such were the conditions existing in our camp on enter- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



299 



ing the sunny south, and from which we were transferred 
to Panama Park, still in the limits of Camp Cuba Libre, 
but some three miles from our Springfield camp. It was 
here the effects of the former camp conditions and life 
showed themselves in the sickness that so rapidly reduced 
the men of the regiment able for duty, to less than one- 
fourth its regular strength, while hospitals and hospital 
forces were taxed to their utmost capacity. 




SCENE IN PANAMA PARK. 

As a pen picture cannot present these things in any- 
thing near their reality, we forego a further delineation, 
leaving it to a vivid imagination to paint it, with no fear of 
its being overdone. 

During the early part of June an order from the war 
department directed that all volunteer regiments be re- 
cruited up to the regular quota of one hundred and three 



300 



HISTORY OF THE 




COMPANY STREET IN CAMP CUBA LIBRE. 



enlisted men, which gave to each company of our regiment, 
with one or two exceptions, an addition of nineteen. Ac- 
cordingly, officers were duly appointed and sent into the 
localities from which the companies came, and in due time 
the requisite number was secured, examined, mustered 
in, and sent forward to join the regiment, where they were 
assigned to their respective companies, thus increasing the 
regiment to over twelve hundred men. This called for an 
additional drilling, of which we all thought there had been 
enough before. Aside from drill, dress parade, guard 
mount, guard duty and review, we had another duty, des- 
signated " fatigue duty," and comprehended about every- 
thing else required of a soldier. Nor was it necessarily such 
duty only as is imposed in the line of punishment, but 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



301 




BREAKING CAMP AT CAMP CUBA LIBRE. 



for which any soWier may be detailed. Our illustration 
shows part of a line of such detail carrying lumber for the 
erection of " rness shacks " and tent floors, during the stay 
at Camp Cuba Libre. 

This camp has been called also the " drill grounds " 
of the Seventh Army Corps, and certainly the Fourth has 
no reason to complain because of a lack of this kind of 
seasoning in its military pie, any more than that of fatigue 
duty. 

Battle tactics were something into which variety en- 
tered almost without end, from the simplest movements 
that at first tangled the feet of a "tenderfoot," as well as 
his head, to the more complicated battle manceuvers, which 



302 



HISTORY OF THE 




FATIGUE DUTY. 



our boys had no opportunity of proving as to their value 
in the hour for which they were designed. 

Marches were another phase of exercise in this camp, 
designed to toughen the muscle, and to give one " wind " 
for the toilsome march following up fleeing Spaniards. 

The reader can here look upon a company ready for 
such a " hip." 

There were some things not necessarily connected with 
what constituted a high proficiency in ordinary drill or bat- 
tle tactics, yet extremely pleasurable to all who took part 
in it, except the other fellow who was sent on short but 
rapid marches toward the moon. 

This blanket drill was a very common thing in some 
localities in camp, even going, to the extent of drafting a 
negro woman into the least desirable part of it. 

The accompanying cut is from a snap-shot taken in 
an adjoining regiment, and in which an old darky figures 
prominently in the ascending act. Still with all the real 
pleasure connected with it, our boys never indulged in it, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



305 



It 


^0( 



u - 



.mk 



except as a remedial exercise, i. e. f when the important 
party in the transaction was " liver grown " or something 
of that sort. 

Along with the very undesirable conditions growing 
out of the ill health of the regiment at this time, came that 
of unharmonious feelings and conditions among certain 
officials, which at times seemed to threaten the existence 
of the organization. But not desiring to impose a personal 
opinion as to the causes leading to the merits in the case, 
neither as to the proceedings or rinding of the court — much 
less to attempt the settling of blame where it justly belongs, 
or cast reflections on any one directly or indirectly con- 
cerned, we shall content ourselves with simply giving 
the facts as we have been able to gather them from records 
accessible at this time. 

On the 25th day of August, 1898, officers' call was 
20 



306 HISTORY OF THE 

sounded summoning them to headquarters where they were 
interrogated by the Colonel as to the correctness of certain 
reports that had become current through the daily press of 
the country. Being informed by Major Elliott as to the 
correctness of the same, the colonel thereupon read an 
order placing Lieut. -Col. S. A. D. McWilliams, Maj. L. 

E. Bennett, Maj. E. J. Lang and Maj. E. E. Elliott in 
arrest. But owing to the fact that Lieutenant-Colonel Mc- 
Williams was on duty as inspector of the Third Division 
Seventh Army Corps, under command of Brig. -Gen. Lucius 

F. Hubbard, he was not technically at any time in arrest. 
Major Bennett being field officer of the day for the Third 
Division Seventh Army Corps, and Major Lang being at 
the same time field officer for the Second Brigade of the 
Third Division Seventh Army Corps, were exempt from the 
•order of arrest until relieved from their respective duties on 
the following day, August 26th. The foregoing arrests be- 
ing made on special order from Colonel Andel's headquar- 
ters, and those in arrest were kept in close confinement in 
their respective tents until September 2nd, when Major 
Elliott was released and charges preferred against Major 
Bennett, Major Lang and Lieutenant-Colonel McWilliams. 
The general charge preferred against those accused was, 
"conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman in violation 
of the sixty-first article of war;" while the specifications 
were substantially as follows: " That these officers joined 
in sending a telegram to Gov. John R. Tanner, of Illinois, 
in which the statement was made that a very large percent- 
age of the members of the regiment were in favor of going 
to Cuba, and asking the Governor to use his influence to 
that end." 

In addition to the above, Major Bennett was also 
charged " With conduct to the prejudice of good order and 
military discipline, in violation of the Sixty-second Article 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 307 

of War;" the specification being, substantially, that Major 
Bennett had called upon General Lee and General Barclay 
without permission being first had from Col. Casimer Andel. 
Also this additional general charge was made against 
Lieutenant-Colonel McWilliams, viz.: "Conduct unbe- 
coming an officer and gentleman, in violation of the Sixty- 
first Article of War." Specifications under this charge 
were substantially as follows: 

FIRST SPECIFICATION. 

Disobedience to orders, in that Lieutenant-Colonel 
McWilliams did leave camp one night when he had been 
left in command of the regiment by Colonel Andel. 

SECOND SPECIFICATION. 

That Lieutenant-Colonel McWilliams did not report 
for duty to Colonel Andel when he (McWilliams) was re- 
lieved from duty as provost marshal of the Second Division 
of the Seventh Army Corps. 

On September 12 counter charges were preferred 
against Col. Casimer Andel by Lieutenant-Colonel Mc- 
Williams, as follows: 

FIRST CHARGE. 

The first general charge was, " Incompetency to com- 
mand and ignorance of military matters, usages and forms, 
to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, in 
violation of the Sixty-second Article of War." 

The specifications under the charge were substantially 
as follows: 

1, Col. Casimer Andel, while in command of his 
regiment at Springfield, Illinois, did cause his regiment to 



308 HISTORY OF THE 

form in columns of two's, and commanded substantially as 
follows: "On right and left, go each way, march!" 

SECOND SPECIFICATION. 

"That Colonel Andel did on various occasions, being 
prepared to pass in review and being in line of masses, did 
give the command change direction by the right flank." 

THIRD SPECIFICATION. 

" That on many occassions he did halt the regiment 
and ask his subordinate officers the necessary commands to 
manoeuver the regiment into such positions intended." 

FOURTH SPECIFICATION. 

" That Colonel Andel, on or about May 20, 1898, said 
of Company K, of the regiment, that he would rather it 
would not be mustered into the United States service; that 
he could furnish a company from Belleville in twelve days 
to take its place. That it was not necessary for officers to 
be acquainted with drill regulations to command troops." 

FIFTH SPECIFICATION. 

"That Colonel Andel said to Captain Courtney, of 
Company M, substantially that if Lreutenant-Colonel Mc- 
Williams, Majors Bennett, Lang and Elliott wanted to go 
to Cuba they would go without their arms." 

SIXTH SPECIFICATION. 

' ' That Colonel Andel permitted private, afterward 
Sergeant Ropiequet, to sign his official signature, to-wit: 
' Casimer Andel, commanding Fourth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, ' to official papers to superior officers. " 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 309 



SEVENTH SPECIFICATION. 

"That Colonel Andel established a regimental bakery 
and detailed enlisted men with more or less experience as 
bakers, and promised such enlisted men that he would 
cause one hundred loaves of bread to be issued to each 
company for each one hundred pounds of flour from the 
company's ration, the surplus flour to go to the said bakers 
as extra pay. This said extra flour was stopped in a few 
days by the colonel, who ordered that such extra flour 
should be baked into pies, rolls, buns and other healthful 
breadstuffs which should be sold to any person wanting the 
same, provided the purchaser paid for the same with can- 
teen checks only; turning the surplus, if any, after paying 
the expense of the baking, into a common fund, which was 
to be distributed to the company fund. This was not 
followed out, and the bakers sold and delivered bread to 
any person wanting the same, for legal tender money, from 
any bread on hand, whether the companies had drawn their 
full amount or not, all with the full consent of the colonel." 

SECOND CHARGE. 

"Conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman, in 
violation of the sixty-first article of war." 

FIRST SPECIFICATION. 

"That Colonel Andel did, on many occasions in Au- 
gust and September, sign certificates to requisitions for fuel, 
forage, straw and illuminating supplies, in words as fol- 
lows : ' I certify that the above requisition is correct and 
just; that the articles required have not been previously 
drawn for any part of the time above charged; and that the 
private animals for which forage is required, are actually 



310 HISTORY OF THE 

owned and kept by the officers of my command in the per- 
formance of official military duties, being on duty with 
troops in the field or military post or station.' Which cer- 
ticate is false, in that it made requisition for one private 
horse owned by Chaplain H. W. Todd, when said H. W. 
Todd did not own a horse in the United States service." 

A general court martial was convened pursuant to the 
following order at 9 A. M., September 15, 1898, to try 
these case above cited, and such other matters as should 
come before them. 

HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH ARMY CORPS, 

CAMP "CUBA LIBRE," 

Jacksonville, Florida, Sept. 13, 1898. 

Special Order ) _ EXTRACT _ 

No. 99. \ 

Par 5. A general court martial is hereby appointed to 
meet at this camp at 10 o'clock A. M., on Thursday, Sep- 
tember 15, 1898, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for 
the trial of Majors Edward J. Lang and L. E. Bennett, 
Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and such other persons 
as may be properly brought before it. 

DETAIL FOR THE COURT. 

Brig. -Gen. Henry C. Hasbruck, United States Volunteers. 
Brig-Gen. Lloyd Wheaton, United States Volunteers. 
Brig. -Gen. H. T. Douglas, United States Volunteers. 
Col. W. H. Mabry, First Texas Volunteer Infantry. 
Col. James S. Pettit, Fourth United States Volunteers. 
Lieut. -Col. Calvin D. Cowles, First North Carolina. 
Lieut. -Col. Curtis Guild, Jr., Inspector-General United 
States Volunteers. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 31 I 

Capt. Henry A. Wise, Fourth United States Volunteer 
Infantry, Judge Advocate. 
A greater number of officers than these named cannot 
be assembled without manifest injury to the service. 
By command of 

MAJOR-GENERAL LEE. 
R. E. L. Michie, Assistant Adjutant-General. 

This was the only court convened by corps order from 
corps headquarters, all other cases having been tried by- 
courts convened by order from division headquarters. 

Capt. Joseph P. Barricklow and Capt. E. Wood Hersh, 
Fourth Illinois Volunteers, were introduced as counsel for 
the accused. 

Maj. L. E. Bennett was brought to trial September 
15, 1898. 

Maj. E. J. Lang was brought to trial September 19. 

Lieut. -Col. S. A. D. McWilliams was brought to trial 
September 21. 

The findings of the court in the several cases were as 
follows: 

Major Bennett, to charge under the sixty-first article 
of war — Not guilty. To charge under the sixty-second 
article of war — Guilty, and sentenced to be reprimanded. 

Major Lang, to all charges — Not guilty. 

Lieutenant-Colonel McWilliams, to all charges— Not 
guilty. 

On the 23d of September Col. Casimer Andel was 
brought to trial on the charges and specifications that were 
lodged against him. 

Attorney Gustavus A. Koerner, of Belleville, Illinois, 
was introduced as counsel for the accused. 

The findings of the court in the case were as follows: 

Under Charge 1, not guilty; but under Specification 



312 HISTORY OF THE 

2, guilty, to which he pleaded guilty. Under 3d Specifi- 
cation, guilty, but attaching no criminality. Under 4th 
Specification, not guilty. Under 5th Specification, guilty ; 
but attaching no criminality. Under 6th Specification, 
not guilty. Under 7th Specification, not guilty. 

Under Charge 2nd, not guilty; but guilty of con- 
duct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline, 
in violation of the sixty-second article of war. Under 
1st Specification, guilty, excepting the word " false," sub- 
stituting therefor the words " carelessly made; " and of the 
excepted words " not guilty," and of the substituted word 
"guilty." 

SENTENCE IMPOSED. 

Maj.-Gen. J. Warren Keifer, in command of the First 
Division of the Seventh Army Corps, being in command 
during the temporary absence of Maj.-Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, 
in reviewing the findings of the court martial, stated: 
"The proceedings, findings and sentence of the court are 
approved, and the sentence will be executed. Col. Casimer 
Andel is therefore suspended from the rank and command 
as an officer in the Volunteer Army of the United States 
for the period of six months, from this date, and he will 
forfeit to the United States one-half of his pay as an officer 
for the same period of time. Col. Casimer Andel is re- 
leased from arrest." 

Major Bennett having been found guilty and sen- 
tenced to be reprimanded, the reviewing authority said: 
" In administering this reprimand, the Major-General 
commanding reminds Major Bennett, that the sentence of 
the court is light, considering the gravity of the offense; 
and the sentence can be justified only on the ground that 
his conduct was mitigated by unusual circumstances. Ma- 
jor Bennett is, however, further reminded, that an officer 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 3 T 3 

honors his high character by good conduct at all times, re- 
gardless of conditions and circumstances surrounding. Ma- 
jor Bennett is released from arrest and will return to duty." 

APPEAL OF COLONEL ANDEL. 

Colonel Andel through his attorney carried his case 
before the President of the United States, who caused a 
special order from the War Department to issue rescinding 
the findings of the court martial and restoring Colonel 
Andel to duty. 

The Colonel held his commission until November 17, 
1898, when he resigned, returning to his duties in connec- 
tion with the First National Bank of Belleville, Illinois. 

Eben Swift, captain of the Fifth United States Cav- 
alry, then lieutenant-colonel of the Ninth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, was commissioned to fill the vacancy, and at 
once entered upon the duties of this higher position, taking 
command of the regiment at Savannah, Georgia, from 
which place he led it into the island of Cuba as part of the 
army of occupation. 

Provost duty in the city of Savannah having been 
turned over to others and the Fourth having had a month 
of camp life, they hailed with joy and no little demonstra- 
tion the order that reached camp and was delivered to the 
staff and line officers by Colonel Swift in his quarters at 
8:30 P. M. on the initial day of the year 1899, directing 
that this regiment prepare to load baggage on the following 
day and to break camp and embark on the transport 
"Mobile," Tuesday morning. 

The long cherished desire to enter the land of conflict 
having thus so nearly reached its realization, gave new life 
to the men, and on the morrow there seemed little if any 
need of orders, except for details, as every soldier seemed 



3 M HISTORY OF THE 

ready to do his whole duty in the work of packing and load- 
ing the effects of the different companies, as if to hasten the 
time for departure. 

But it remained for Tuesday to develop the true elo- 
quence of the " camp yell," which came at the " first call " 
of the bugle sounding out on the crisp winter air of Georgia, 
long before the dawn of day. 

It was a call to every man able for duty, and under 
the circumstances, few were otherwise, to pack his knapsack 
and other personal belongings, and be ready for a hasty 
breakfast of "army rations," praparatory to the march to 
the river docks. 

About 7 A. M. the companies lined up in heavy march- 
ing order and turned their backs upon their tent homes, 
which were to be left behind, to bid them a final farewell as 
their feet began to mark time to the music of .the band in 
a march which led through the streets of this beautiful 
Southern city, in which they had won a high reputation as 
provost guards, as well as the respect and esteem of the 
better classes, who were in no wise stint in their praise, as 
well as expressions of regret at their departure. 

It was the privilege of the writer to meet a goodly 
number of the business men of the city without disclosing 
his relation to the regiment, and in all cases they spoke in 
highest praise of the regiment for the service it rendered in 
unison with their police force in maintaining order in their 
city. So persistent were their pleas for the retention of 
the Fourth as guards of the city, that a lengthy petition 
was presented to Maj. R. B. Harrison, praying him to 
countermand the order relieving them therefrom. 

But with all this, the time had come for the Fourth to 
take its departure from the city: a brief stay in Camp 
Onward having been thought best prior to their departure 
for Cuba. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



315 



But the time having arrived for their final leave of the 
camp and the city, they did it in a most commendable way, 
marching through the streets in an orderly, soldierly man- 
ner, reaching the wharf about 9 A. M., and were soon 




GOING ON BOARD THE MOBILE. 

wending their way up the narrow gang plank and entering 
the hull of the great transportation ship " Mobile," on which 
the Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry had embarked the 
day previous and awaited our arrival. 

While this mighty mansion of the ocean was once a 
cattle ship plying between England and the United States, 
her reconstruction has so completely transformed her inte- 
rior and to some extent her exterior, as to cause the loss of 
identity, so we have been told. Her dimensions can be 
best comprehended when we consider that upon this trip 



3i6 



HISTORY OF THE 



she carried two entire regiments with tentage, baggage and 
officers' horses and the necessarv forage therefor, besides a 
cargo of iron for ballast; she is virtually a five-story struct- 
ure, with bunks sufficient to accommodate all she took on 
board: while it may be said that her deck room was not 
adequate to give the men that elbow room during the day 
they so much desired. But this congested condition of the 
decks was soon relieved when we got out to open sea, by 
the light-headed boys seeking their berths below. 













i 

* r 




;;.* « 


sfr 


j$|g$ *" 


"■•i 



M 




MOBILE OFF FOR CUBA. 



It was 11:30 when this great ship loosed her moorings 
and slowly swung off from the dock, in answer to the line 
from a tug that gradually tightened as its whirling wheel 
set the river in commotion: while an overfull comrade ran 
along the dock shouting at the top of his voice, and wav- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 317 

ing his arms frantcially, hoping to induce the captain to 
halt, and push his little boat ashore for the accommoda- 
tion of one who had allowed his appetite to get the mastery 
of his mind. But to his dismay he discovered that although 
large bodies move slowly, they do not stop easily or quickly. 
Our passage down the river was one continuous ovation, as 
the people lined the docks, the banks of the river and filled 
the balconies, doors and windows of shops and factories, 
waving handkerchiefs, hats and " Old Glory," while they 
shouted their good-byes. 

About twenty miles brought us into the blue sea where 
for the first time opened to the view of most of the boys 
from the prairie state, the grandeur of the old ocean's ex- 
panse. Here our river pilot and the little tug took their 
leave, and the massive machinery of the great engine, 
hid away in the inner chambers of our floating house began 
to move and soon the peculiar tremble, so well known to 
every sea fare:, was felt from bow to stern, as the stately 
ship plowed the deep under the pressure of her own giant 
engines. 

The trip was one of no significant occurrence, except 
a dense fog that settled on us a few miles out, and which 
led to repeated soundings of the great fog-horn whistle, 
the loud, hoarse, mournful tone of which almost sent a 
chill through the frame of a sturdy soldier, while the prev- 
alence of that unpleasant accompaniment called "seasick- 
ness " made a goodly number feel like taking their depart- 
ure to some more desirable place, as it twisted them into 
laughable contortions of body, making heavy claims on 
their breakfast if not the supper of the previous evening, 
while their more favored comrades consoled them with the 
fact that it was not fatal, but rather a normal health- 
producing process. 

On the third day of our voyage, about n A. M., we 



3 I 8 HISTORY OF THE 

sighted the land of our destination, and soon her beautiful 
hills and valleys, covered with rich verdure, became quite 
visible, and the distinct outline of the stately royal palm 
came gradually into view, producing a picture to the eye, 
of one just from the frozen north, that would not be easily 
forgotten. But the burden of desire seemed to be a view 
of old Morro on his high uplifted rock bed, at the entrance 
to Havana harbor. 

But this desire was not realized until afternoon. As we 
moved in a westerly direction toward the bay, we sighted 
the light-house which towers many feet above the battle- 
ments on the walls of this grim old fort. 

Cabannas also stood out in all her defiant glory, and 
as we neared them the mouths of their large guns gaped at 
us, but rather in amazement than with unfriendly mien. 
Near 2 o'clock we stood off the mouth of the bay, where 
the quaint old buildings of the city, smaller forts beyond 
the entrance, and the ancient-styled boats with their 
jabbering crews, all joined in the formation of a scene of 
antique grandeur, beyond the ability of my pen to picture, 
and which only increased as its larger dimensions came in 
view while we slowly steamed up the bay, until it formed 
a bewildering panorama as the eye ran the entire circle of 
the shore, clad with structures of every seeming ancient 
type, from the thatched cabin of the poor to the stately 
mansion and warehouse. 

Thus we entered the rockbound, fortress-crowned gate- 
way, to the capital of this famous island; just one year later, 
and about the same hour of the day, when that majestic 
ship of our navy, the Maine, moved quietly and peacefully 
through the same channel, never to move out again with her 
noble crew. 

Very impressive was this coincidence on the minds of 
many of our own and the companion regiment on our boat, 



320 HISTORY OF THE 

the Ninth Illinois. But to the novice not only do these 
scenes of the city attract the eye, but also the line of hills 
that gradually rise from the plain which entirely surrounds 
the city and bay (except a few valleys) on whose crests the 
frowning fort, blockhouse, or barbed wire trocha is seen at 
short distances from each other, telling to the thoughtful 
mind the fact that this, the capital of the once cherished 
isle of Spain, was prepared to defend herself against an 
equal foe for no short length of time. The bay itself, 
practically land-locked, is a stronghold of nature's own 
forming, while upon its bosom are seen ships flying the 
flags of many nations, as well as some of our own bulldogs 
of war and merchantmen, while near us, almost buried in 
the murky, filthy waters of this bay, lie the remains of the 
ill-fated Maine, upon which, as we gaze, the thought of 
the terrible wholesale murder committed in her destruc- 
tion about one year ago, and the unsuppressed thought of 
revenge is heard to fall from many lips. Assisted by a 
United States tug, the Mobile was soon pressing her side 
hard against one of the spacious docks that project tooth- 
like from the San Jose wharf sheds, and the work of 
unloading was begun by a motley gang of white, black and 
intermediate colored men, all of whom spoke in a strange 
tongue to the American ear. 

From the manner in which they entered upon and 
continued their work, the critical onlooker would begin the 
task of reconciling the facts before his eyes with the state- 
ments he had so often met with as to the inborn laziness 
of thjs people. The unloading continued during the next 
day, while the army wagon train was transporting our 
tents and equipage to the camp, to which the regiment took 
up its march during the second afternoon, reaching their 
destination a while before sundown. The detail sent ahead 
not having been able to erect all the tents, the tired men 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



321 




SAN JOSE ESPIGON (WHARF). 

detailed themselves and aided in the work until by consid- 
erable crowding, like sardines in a can, sufficient shelter for 
all was secured. 

Nor was the work done sooner than was really neces- 
sary, for as the shades of evening approached they were pre- 
maturely deepened by a dense cloud that rose up as if out of 
the sea and poured its liquid contents upon us in torrents, 
while a stiff ocean breeze pressed the sides of our tents, 
testing the strength of the guys and the depth of the pegs, 
while the water ran into many tents, stopping only where it 
came in contact with some early sleeper's blanket. As the 
storm allayed, the ax and hammer could be heard in differ- 
ent directions throughout the camp, redriving tent pegs 
preparatory to the next gust that seemed imminent. 

The next day, being Sunday, and a few days following, 

our camp was a veritable bee-hive of busy men, resetting 

tents, cleaning, and otherwise putting the camp in a com- 
21 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 323 

fortable, tidy condition. Camp Columbia, the home of 
the Seventh Army Corps, in whose bounds we are quar- 
tered, is located six and one-half kilometers northwest from 
Havana on the military pike leading from that city to 
Pinar del Rio and on the Havana & Marianao railroad, 
with General Lee's headquarters at Buena Vista station. 
Our location was in, the northeast part of the camp west of 
the military road, and a short distance south from General 
Lee's headquarters, overlooking the camps of most of the 
other regiments of the corps, and the blue sea just beyond 
to the west, with the First Division hospital, the beautiful 
hills and valleys to the east, beyond which lies the city 
and bay of Havana, clearly seen from the brow of the hill. 
A more beautiful location could hardly have been found; 
while its topography and immediate surroundings were 
equally as favorable and attractive. Beginning with the 
fine cement-covered stone wall eight feet high and eighteen 
inches thick, on the east side along the pike, our camp 
was quite level for some twenty rods west, and where 
our regimental headquarters, hospital, band quarters, ex- 
change, guard house (tent), gospel tent, and guard mount 
grounds were located, thence sloping gradually westward 
to the railroad near one-quarter of a mile distant. On the 
east part of this space, reaching to headquarters street, the 
line of officers and companies were located, with company 
streets running west to the beautiful, commodious drill and 
parade ground. At our north and south, near the pike, 
were situated two fine homes which, in the palmy days of 
Cuba, were surrounded with every conceivable convenience, 
as well as beautiful adornment of lawns. Massive iron gates 
and fence, connecting with the stone wall, guarded the 
front along the pike, of the home to the south, while stone 
walls and a most beautiful gateway opened into a street 
leading to the north home, on either side of which stood a 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



325 




NORTH GATE, CAMP COLUMBIA. 



row of stately Royal palms, lifting their crested heads high 
toward heaven, furnishing another of those most beautiful 
pictures of Cuba. 

Not only was the camp beautiful for situation, but its 
sanitary condition was not excelled by any regiment in 
Camp Columbia. And this was not the result of any nat- 
ural causes, but the product of a persistent, energetic 
watchfulness on the part of those in charge, coupled with a 
systematic and to some extent laborious application of 
muscle and disinfectants. A brief account of the manner 
and means to the accomplishing of these results may not 
be out of place just here. First, we may say the design 
of the government, however slow in carrying it out, was 
to the health, comfort and convenience of the soldiers. 



326 



HISTORY OF THE 



To this end commodious wall tents, nine by nine feet for 
the officers and sixteen by sixteen for the men, each pro- 
vided with a fly, all of good material, were provided, and 
as rapidly as the transportation of lumber would admit, 
these were provided with floors, placed well up from the 
ground to prevent mould and decay beneath them, and 
the floors were required to be treated to frequent applica- 
tions of water, with which, after some delay, our camp had 




STREET SCENE AT DRILL HOUR, CUBA. 

an abundant supply of the purest and best. Beneath these 
floors, and on the clay floors of other tents, a lavish supply 
of air-slacked lime was scattered several times a month, 
as well also, though not so frequenly, over the streets of the 
camp. When the weather would warrant it, the tent walls 
must be rolled up twics or three times every week, and 
daily the folding cots with which the men were provided, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 32/ 

all and bedding, must be carried to the street, where all 
was exposed to the clear sun light and pure air. Ordi- 
narily, six men occupy one of these large -tents. Three 
times a week the detailed broom brigade, armed with rattan 
brooms, sweep the entire camp from headquarters to the 
foot of the company streets, while the Cuban gang, with 
their machettes, go over the entire camp as occasion re- 
quires and cut any weed, flower or spear of grass, allowing 
no vegetation to grow for decay, while every day after 
breakfast the regiment is marched through the entire length 
and breadth of the camp quarters, picking up scraps of 
paper, orange peel and other useless things, which later, 
the sanitary police, consisting of a commissioned officer, 
two non-commissioned officers, and ten men, would take 
them from the heaps in which they were placed and put them 
in an army wagon or the camp cart for conveyance to a 
safe distance from camp or to where they were burned 
or buried. But this is not all. Deep sinks are dug at 
convenient places in which all refuse from kitchens and 
tents is deposited, and from five to seven times a day this 
refuse is covered with a thin coat of earth and a sprinkling 
of lime, only to be followed by another detail, who wash 
all the seats and floors of the closets with diluted carbolic 
acid, giving the already limed sinks a good supply of the 
same. 

And oftentimes, as if to make doubly sure of a sure 
thing, the force that occupy the guard house, some times 
larger and some times smaller than others, owing to various 
causes, are marched through the camp with suitable tools 
for the work in hand, and the little details are looked after 
in a scrutinizing way. Along with all this the white-wash 
gang, usually Cubans, make their trip through camp two or 
three times a month and white-wash about everything in 
sight except tents, as our pictures show, not even sparing 



328 HISTORY OF THE 

the clothes and bedding hung out to the sunlight. With 
all this care it was a surprise that we were expected to 
pass the ordeal of quarantine and fumigation in order to 
fit us for admission to a state, where disinfection seemed 
equally as important, looking to the protection of our regi- 
ment. Lest the foregoing should lead the mind of the 
reader to form a wrong impression as to the proper service 
a soldier should render while in camp, it is therefore 
but just we mention the fact that the colonel of this 
regiment did not impose upon his men extra duties merely 
for the sake of artistic ornamentation or beautifying the 
grounds to no practical value to the command; hence, no 
monuments, or decorations, other than a clean camp, was 
left to mark the spot on which the Fourth Illinois Volun- 
teers bivouacked during their history as an army of occupa- 
tion in Cuba. 

The health of the men in this regiment was remark- 
ably good — not excelled by any period of their waiting in 
the United States. 

Death visited our ranks but once, on the fifteenth of 
January, and that by drowning while bathing in the river. 
Only one incident or accident of note occurred while in 
this camp, that of the fall of the immense water tank, 
erected for flushing the sewer pipe leading from the camp to 
the sea. This was a substantial superstructure erected at 
the south end of the line of headquarter tents and near the 
band and hospital quarters. The frame work on which 
the immense wooden tub or tank twenty by twenty-four 
feet was placed, evidently was strong and well made, but 
its posts, twelve in number, were placed on pillars of small 
dimension, made of the soft native lime-stone, which is 
not capable of sustaining any great pressure, and also be- 
comes very brittle or rotten when saturated with water. 
Hence when completed ready for roof, on the twenty- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



329 



second day of January the water was turned into it to prove 
its fitness for the task it was expected to perform, the joints 
and seams permitted the escape of a considerable quantity 
of water, saturating the earth beneath it and soaking the 
stone pillars until they crushed beneath the preasure, and 
the structure careened, and with terrific crash the whole 
was precipitated to the earth a complete wreck of bent 
rods, bands and broken timbers, while the unpent water 
like a flood deluged all that part of the camp, wrecking 




WRECK OF THE TANK. 



several tents in the band quarters and seriously twisting 
some in headquarters row, damaging considerable property 
and bruising up the cook of the band mess. Still life in 
such a camp could not well be other than pleasant. 

Scarcely had we gotten our quarters in condition to 



33° HISTORY OF THE 

live as comfortably as camp life will admit, on entering 
this camp, until it was thought necessary, or something 
else, to change the order and begin the re-enacting of the 
old program of the states, with which we had become so 
familiar as to lose our relish for it, that is the "grand 
review." 

We were introduced to it on Cuban soil in the form of 
a big review before Major General Douglas on the after- 
noon of the 16th of January, a short distance southeast of 
the village of Quemados, which lies at the south side of 
Camp Columbia. This was, by the unanimous consent of 
our regiment, voted to be the "rockiest " affair of the kind 
we had ever participated in, for the face of the field on 
which it took place was literally covered with stone of 
various sizes and shapes. Of course it was a creditable (?) 
performance. 

But this condition was broken into again on the after- 
noon of the 31st, when, in compliance with an order from 
General Lee, the whole corps was assembled on the 
spacious parade ground at the southwest part of the camp, 
and reviewed by their distinguished corps commander. 

Again, on the 17th of February, another order brought 
the entire brigade together at the same place, at which 
it was reviewed by General Brooke, Governor General of 
Havana. 

The hour for morning drill on the above day, as well 
as the day following, was put in on practice in pitching 
and striking shelter tents, preparing for what was in the 
near future. The value of this practice was demonstrated 
by the very brief space of time in which the work could 
be accomplished, not exceeding two minutes. Thus, in 
case of emergency, preparation for storm could be made 
in time for protection. The time for which this drill 
was more especially given, came on the morning of the 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 33 l 

19th. An order having come down from the Second 
Brigade of the First Division, directing the regiments of this 
brigade to start on a practice march on that date, Sun- 
day. Therefore the camp was astir at an early hour, 
and notwithstanding the mud, which was more like wax, 
caused by the heavy rains of the preceding night, yet 
with large quantities clinging to their feet the work of 
getting ready was speedily done, and the Second South 
Carolina, the Ninth and Fourth Illinois of this brigade, 
were in readiness for the march to Guines; and at about 
9 in the morning this regiment filed out at the north gate 
of the camp in light marching order, taking the lead of the 
other two regiments during the first day's march. The day 
proved to be one of Cuba's balmy winter days, if anything 
a little hot. Still the march was a pleasant one, without 
any mishaps, except, that two or three who were scarcely 
able to enter upon the march, were compelled to give up to 
an ambulance ride which continued through the outgoing 
trip. 

About noon a halt was called some ten kilometers be- 
yond Havana and the midday lunch was partaken of in a 
true soldierly way and with an appetite that lingered after 
the plates were clear. After an hour or more rest, one of 
the most delightful things that ever comes to a weary sol- 
dier, we resumed the tramp, calling a halt at 4 o'clock east 
of Cotorro, on this, one of the splendid military roads built 
by Spain. Here we pitched our pup tents, and prepared for 
our night's rest. True to the characteristic of this regiment, 
there was scarely a foot of ground for two or three miles 
from our camp that some of the boys had not gone over, in 
search of something, whatever it might be, to serve as a 
reminder of the camp or a souvenir of the occasion. 

A good night's rest and a typical ration breakfast, we 
were again ready to "hip," which we began about 7 



332 



HISTORY OF THE 




MILITARY ROAD NEAR SAN JOSE, CUBA. 



o'clock, reaching San Jose, twenty-seven kilometers out 
from Havana, by 11:30, where another halt was made for 
the midday lunch and rest. Having marched some twelve 
miles after lunch we found ourselves beginning a gradual 
ascent, which became more steep at times, winding its course 
around the ends of low hills and along ravines until we were 
at the summit of a large hill or small mountain overlook- 
ing a well watered extensive and fertile prairie, whose 
beauty and luxuriant growth of vegetation, reminds one of 
the fertile prairies of our own land. Out on this broad 
stretch before us and some five and one-half kilometers 
east we could distinctly see the city of Guines the object- 
ive point of our march; and beyond it the stack of a large 
sugar refinery rose above the plain, the capacity of which, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 333 

as we learned later, having camped near it, was three 
thousand pounds per day and was in operation at this time. 

At our feet the roadway entered a cut leading in a 
circular descending course through the promontory like brow 
of the mountain, for a distance of about one-fourth of 
a mile. 

At its deepest point the perpendicular walls of soft lime 
stone rise to a height of perhaps fifty feet with a roadway 
twenty or thirty feet in width. In this again we see one 
of the monuments of Spain's glory, as well as an evidence 
that money, time and labor counted for little when an un- 
dertaking was on foot looking to her martial advantage and 
temporary glory and power. Passing out of this grand 
piece of engineering, so skillfully executed, we found the 
road rapidly declining and making another graceful curve 
to the left producing the letter S, thus lengthening the dis- 
tance in order to decrease the otherwise steepness of the 
grade. Soon after emerging from the cut we turned 
aside into a field near the foot of the mountain or hill, 
where we pitched our tents, during a gentle shower, on a 
sloping field, literally covered with small stones, which 
we were under the necessity of gathering from beneath our 
little canvas roofs, prior to making our downy beds with 
moistened blankets, a fact that did not discommode us to 
any great extent, since the weather was mild and pleasant 
as in our beautiful balmy May days in central Illinois. 

This was the end of another afternoon's march of about 
sixteen kilometers. While tents were being pitched the 
cooks were rushing the open kitchen fires and hurrying up 
supper on double time. Still our collapsed stomachs had 
to forego the pleasure of the delightful feast. For while 
hunger made our hard-tack and boneless ham, taken from 
the side of a hog, a delight to the palate, yet at times, it 
aroused a rebellious condition near the centre of one's phys- 




MOUNTAIN CL'T. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 335 






\ 



ical organism. Well, having "pulled through" another 
out of time meal, and the still hours of night having passed 
far up the dial, we were admonished that our little beds 
were the place for "good boys:" hence we decided to pass 
by the delightful pleasure of a ramble over the mountain 
sides. But the rising sun found birds of our camp that 
search for the early worm, moving about in the bushes on 
the hill side, but using the precaution necessary to hearing 
the breakfast call. This meal over and a stampede on a 
small scale took place from the camp, for the coatless blues 
were soon exploring every foot of the east side of the hill. 
While it was not a Klondike for curios and souvenirs, 
some of the men brought back lime formations as trophies 
gathered in the caves they had discovered, and whose dark 



336 HISTORY OF THE 

chambers they had to some extent explored. As we re- 
mained in camp here most of Tuesday, ample opportunity 
was offered for a pretty thorough exploration of the sur- 
rounding country, a pleasure not to be forgone by the men 
of this command, whose bumps of curiosity and inquisitive- 
ness are quite well developed. 

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon camp was broken and our 
regiment moved out taking the lead in the march of the 
day, passing through Guines, another of the quaint cities 
of this island and the second in size in the province of La 
Habana; we again pitched our tents about one kilometer 
northeast of the city, partly in a rough corn field and partly 
on a beautiful grassy plot in the forks of a clear, deep, fast- 
flowing stream that rises from one spring at the mountain's 
base, some eight miles distant; and which is used for 
irragating this vast stretch of fertile plains, as well as for 
water power. Hence, unlike most streams, it forks at the 
wrong end, sending its waters out through a multitude of 
smaller streams that diminish in size, instead of taking on 
from incoming rivulets to their increase as they proceed to a 
confluence with some other stream or lose themselves in the 
great ocean. This pure, limpid stream was too much for a 
soldier who had been sweltering in the hot sun of that day, 
and grown dust begrimed on his march. Accordingly, before 
all tents were pitched, the heavy splash told that the weary 
soldier had reached one point of his glory, and would feel 
the better for it. In fact, even the Colonel and the Chap- 
lain became so undignified as to try its cleansing qualities. 
Just across the east branch, on the north side, the Second 
South Carolina pitched its tents, while just across the high- 
way east of us, the Ninth Illinois took up its quarters, thus 
putting us in close proximity to each other in fact, too near 
the fountains of cognac and other exciting decoctions that 
arouse the combative elements of a soldier nature. Now 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 337 

while " foraging," a mild name given to a practice in army 
life, which in a civilian is seriously repudiated, was in no 
sense necessary during the occupation of Cuba, and hence 
could not be justifiable from any standpoint, yet it is a fact 
that it was resorted to at times, and that not always because 
there was a vicious desire* back of it, but from the spirit 
known as " fun " among the boys in blue: and which some 
of them had practiced sufficiently to have reached the point, 
where they had a kind of semi belief that it was within the 
bounds of a "pretty fair grade of army morals." Hence 
during our encampment at Guines, a little episode along 
this line occurred that led to the striking of a badge, that 
was not uncommonly seen on the coat or blue shirt of one 
of Uncle Sam's honor preservers, and which bore an in- 
scription after this order: " Who stole the hog? Second 
South Carolina. Who killed the hog? Ninth Illinois. 
Who ate the hog? Fourth Illinois." The affair out of 
which this grew, at least so far as the best information the 
writer was able to secure, was this: In the city of Guines, 
as in every town in Cuba, about all the lesser and general 
merchants, carry along with their other line of goods, 
certain kinds of soft goods that can't well be kept without 
enclosing them in a vessel of some kind; and for which 
some of the soldiers had a strong proclivity for making 
themselves a suitable receptacle for preservation of these 
valuable (?) soft goods. So it seems a certain South Caro- 
linian had been trying to take in a quantity of these goods, 
more or less, and as usual they had penetrated the fibre 
of his body, and created a kind of irritation which so affect- 
ed his brain as to produce halluciations of the mind, lead- 
ing him to believe things right and proper which at other 
times he would have seen in another light, or perhaps 
when there was no light. 

So it happened on this occasion, in "broad-day light," 
22 



338 HISTORY OF THE 

as this soldier was returning from the place of business where 
he had been kindly assisting the poor Cuban in bottling or 
transferring of his soft goods from one receptacle to another, 
and under one of these peculiar hallucinations of mind, 
he saw a rope tied to a stake in the yard of one of the rus- 
tic Cuban homes and thereupon a strong desire took hold 
of him to possess it: which was "half the points" under 
the circumstances to its possession, and thereupon he delib- 
erately untied the cord which added another fourth to 
the "points," and moved off toward the camp with one 
end of it in his hand. The occupants of the hut hastily 
followed him, doing loud talking, and fearful gesturing, 
which the fellow could not understand, being purely an 
American, he walked on, simply carrying the end of the 
cord. It was while on this peaceful pleasant march, our 
artist caught him with a snap-shot as he made a brief halt 
for contemplation. 

But the unfortunate thing connected with the whole 
affair, and which seems to have exercised the minds of these 
Cubans so greatly was, that there was a hog, which they 
very much prized, at the other end of the rope. Well, to 
be brief, this was the hog which 'tis said the Fourth Illinois 
ate, which the Ninth got, which the Second South Carolina 
stole, which was on the end of the string, which was tied 
to the stake, which was in the Cuban's yard. Of course 
the Fourth Illinois did not know where the Ninth got the hog, 
nor they, how the Second South Carolinian became pos- 
sessor of it, while he did not know he had it, for no soldier 
ever steals. The nearest he ever gets to that awful crime 
is to "swipe." On the following day, Wednesday, being 
the 22nd of the month, and that on which the "father of 
our country" was born, it was thought to be a fitting thing, 
though in a foreign land, that we emphasize its significance 
in some suitable way, as seen from an American standpoint. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



339 




SWIPING A PORKER. 



Therefore Major-General Douglas issued an order calling out 
the whole brigade at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and after 
marching to the city and through its principal streets, we 
passed in review before the commanding general and staff, 
who were located in the large park in front of the cathedral: 
which is the central object of reverence and admiration in 
this city of the plains. Under this structure it is said are 
located a number of dungeon cells, in one of which was con- 
fined a Spanish soldier awaiting his punishment. The fol- 
lowing day by an unforseen providence, was destined to be 
another gala day in this city, and this brigade was to perform 
the conspicuous part, by passing in review before the cele- 
brated Gen. Maximo Gomez, who was slated for a visit to this 
his home city, and where his mother still resided. Accord- 



34-0 HISTORY OF THE 

ingly about 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the 23d, we fell in 
line with the other regiments of the brigade, and made 
about the same prominent streets as on the former day, 
passing the city hall, which is located on one of the narrow 
streets, thus necessitating the staff to form in double file 
to avoid crowding the people that over filled the narrow 
side walks, flanking the porch of the city building under 
which the noted personage, venerable with age, was sta- 
tioned, in the midst of a dense throng of the elite and promi- 
nent personages of the city. All were decorated in their best 
attire, not neglecting a plentiful application of the every- 
where present face powder, that brings out prominently 
the dark eyes and hair of this Spanish race, producing a very 
charming effect. As to what the noted veteran of two wars 
thought of the American blue coats we are unable to say, 
as his opinion was never given to the public. Yet the boys 
were none the less significant because of his august presence. 
Having shipped two of the disabled men by rail, back to 
camp Columbia, we spent the night of Thursday in our 
quarters, with orders to break camp the following morning. 

Friday dawned upon us as had each day of the week, 
in all the beauty and warmth the sun is capable of diffus- 
ing in this tropical isle during the winter, only to reveal the 
activity of an American camp when orders require prompt 
action and careful preparation. All of which was true of 
Camp Swift, as we are pleased to call it, in honor of our 
leader. Breakfast over, and the hour for departure having 
arrived, 9 o'clock, a. m., we again moved out upon the 
highway an hour in the rear of the Ninth Illinois, the 
Second South Carolina having gone out the preceding 
evening, and soon our backs were upon the camp and the 
city; and thus we bid adieu to them, their scenes and their 
associations. 

Ere we were aware of it, our first hour's march was 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



341 



up and we halted for the usual rest, when Colonel Swift 
dismounted to take part in the -tramp, tramp, tramp' of 
the boys when the next start was made. And not to be 
outdone, the staff followed his example, and soon we were 
ascending the "S» shaped curve of the mountain road 
leading to the deep cut; on the soft limestone walls of 
which the boys of the South Carolina and the two Illinois 
regiments, in no small number, had carved their names and 
some hieroglyphics, to be read and deciphered by the 
coming generations of the Cuban people, and to remind 
the traveler from America that friends had preceded him 
over this famous military road. Descending the gradual 
decline of the road through the foothills on the west side, 
we enter a rolling prairie country, in which the royal palm 
and other tropical vegetation are found in abundance, and 




RUINS OF A CUBAN BARN 



342 HISTORY OF THE 

the fine stone fences, massive gateways, and ruins of for- 
mer stately mansions, are proof of the splendor, glory, and 
wealth of this country prior to the time when the despoil- 
ing hand of war was laid upon it. 

Having referred to the remains of once beautiful but 
now ruined buildings, we insert here, in a parenthetic way, 
the ruins of a barn which stood on the south side of our 
quarters in Camp Columbia, and which we were told was 
the nearest point to Havana ever gained by the insurgent 
army. So many stories as to its ruin were circulated, that 
we do not venture to give any. 

About noon of this first day of cur return trip, having 
covered fourteen kilometers of the way, we filed into the 
fields in the midst of the tall grass and partook of the pro- 
visions which had been prepared before breaking camp in 
the morning, and of which we partook with such a relish 
that to speak of it as a lunch would be to cast a reflection on 
" Bill," the colored cook, for our condition made it a first 
class meal. Our usual rest over, we proceeded on our way, 
passing the town of San Jose, which is built after the order 
of towns in Cuba generally, that is, on either side of the 
main road in a single line of houses, continuing often for 
some distance. About two and one-half kilometers west 
the column turned to the right through a large gateway into 
a lane some sixty feet wide, with a fence on either side con- 
structed out of small stone and mortar, and which led up 
to a one-story, well equipped farm house, at the foot of the 
north mountain, which aids in forming this beautiful pass 
through which the military road leads. Here rising out of 
the level plain almost perpendicularly to the height of per- 
haps three hundred feet, and extending back north and 
south from the pass for miles, widening out into low hills, 
are the twin mountains, that one's imagination might pic- 
ture as having in the distant past, been broken asunder by 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



343 




HHi 



■ 



;:3 



CAMP AT MOUNTAIN PASS, SHOWING LANE AND CAMP FROM 
THE NORTH MOUNTAIN. 

some mighty power and pushed back, forming a beautiful 
gateway of about one-fourth of a mile in width. At this 
point, we were told by the dwellers in the community, was 
fought the battle of San Jose in the late Spanish-Cuban war. 
The Cubans, secreting themselves in the brush and clefts of 
the rocks on the mountain side, poured their deadly fire 
into the enemy as they were passing on the road in a 
wholly exposed position, with a high stone wall on the 
opposite side of the road from where the Cubans were in 
ambush. Whether the history of nations will record the 
glories of this victory or not, we do not pretend to say, 
yet our informants seemed to look upon it not only as a 
great battle, but a great victory for the arms of their 
countrymen. Of the temporary camps on this march, 



344 HISTORY OF THE 

nothing equaled this for beauty of scenery or outstripped 
it as to conveniences. Our congenial Spanish-Cuban 
host, who, with quite a force of men, was just in the 
midst of repairing the ruins left in the track of contending 
armies, not only cheerfully gave permission to use water 
from his well, but put his own servants and mule at 
our disposal, to draw therefrom, until our camp was 
fully established, after which a detail of our own men, 
Sampson-like, pushed the sweep that operated the drum on 
which the rope coiled, in bringing the crystal fluid from its 
rock reservoir, some eighty feet below. At no time on the 
march had the boys been more eager to get the "pup 
tents" pitched and their luggage from their shoulders than 
at this time. And that after a long, rapid march; for they 
had pressed with such rapidity all day as to crowd the 
front rank of the band up alongside the horses of the staff. 
And when halted because of the close proximity into which 
we were coming with the Ninth Illinois in our lead, they 
earnestly called out for permission from the colonel to 
press on and pass them. During the whole day they kept 
up the regular one-hundred and twenty pace to the minute, 
if not exceeding it. But with all this, their eagerness to 
see and learn all that could be seen and comprehended 
about the camp was early manifested. For soon voices 
were heard echoing back upon the camp from the steep 
mountain side on the north, where one's gazing eyes could 
discern the forms of men, that appeared to be those of chil- 
dren, moving in a zig-zag direction, in and out among the 
crags and brushy growth that covered the mountain side, 
and to which they clung for support and means of ascent. 
Thus they could be seen at intervals often of many 
feet one above the other, from t ~e base to the brush cov- 
ered summit, where after a short rest, the adventurers be- 
gan their descent over the same perilous route, reaching 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



345 





WAGON TRAIN AND NORTH MOUNTAIN IN DISTANCE. 

camp with no greater injury than impaired clothing, 
scratched hands and soiled faces. Soon after the evening 
meal, darkness having settled its sombre shades about us, 
voices were again heard in the same direction, as well also 
on the opposite side of the pass, where our eyes could de- 
tect a light flashing at intervals on either mountain and 
moving higher and higher up, which evidenced that the 
Fourth had in it men who could not be satisfied with their 
achievements by daylight, but would excel them by similar 
feats accomplished by the help of an army search light, a 
paraffine or tallow candle. In due time the program was 
reversed and the descending light bearers reached the plain, 
entering the north and south parts of camp, without any 
mishaps greater than those sustained in the daylight adven- 



34-6 HISTORY OF THE 

ture. Throughout the camp nothing more was thought of 
it, until next morning after breakfast, the men of certain 
messes where heard extolling the sweetness of mountain 
honey; when further inquiry revealed the fact that the day- 
light ascent of the north mountain, led to the discovery of 
a rich deposit of wild honey near the summit, and the night 
adventure was to secure the find, in which they were success- 
ful to a large measure, as the buckets full of delicious nectar 
in camp clearly evidenced. But the climbers of the south 
mountain would not be thus outdone by comrades of no 
higher rank or braver hearts. Accordingly after a hurried 
breakfast, groups of men, some equipped with long ropes 
and other articles that might be of use to mountain adven- 
turers, were seen wending their way toward the rocky slopes 
of their choice, and in a few hours they began to return 
to camp with trophies of a very different character, from 
those of their comrades on the previous night. One of 
these was the person of his wise-looking monkey-faced 
owlship, others were reptiles looking somewhat like the 
little graceful chameleon that play about and capture the 
flies in our tents at camp Columbia, only much larger, 
rougher and more undescribable in their appearance: which 
they called Gila monsters. These were soon followed by 
another squad bringing a reptile of greater dimensions, be- 
ing a beautiful sleek snake of about five feet in length, 
supposed to be of the Anaconda family, if not one of the 
direct descendants. Later three others of these graceful 
beauties were brought in, one measuring eleven and one 
half feet, their captors caressing and handling them as if 
but an innocent kitten, much to the seeming enjoyment of 
the captive. When Brigadier General Douglas, whose 
camp was only a short distance ahead, heard of these ad- 
ventures, he remarked something like this: If those Fourth 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



347 



Illinois men could be camped near hell, they'd soon have 
the devil out playing with him. 

But the boys of the Fourth would have played with 
him only so long as they had him where things went their 
way, and beyond that there would have been a racket. 
These in-gatherings are looked upon as the regimental me- 
nagerie, and until muster out, almost daily exhibitions of 
their snakeships were being made, in the presence of distin- 




SNAKES AND OTHER TROPHIES OF MOUNTAIN HUNT. 



guished Americans, who visited the camp. But at our sepa- 
ration for home, they were tenderly borne by their individual 
owners to the Sucker state as trophies of the days of army 
occupancy of the island. While here we also had the picture 
of poverty brought before us in its reality, when companies 
of old men, women and children of that class visited our 



348 



HISTORY OF THE 



camp to receive even the refuse of our mess kettles and 
tables, when we chanced to have any of that kind of art- 
icles on hand. These poorly clad, half clad, and scarcely 
clad at all, are not the saddest specimens of the ravages of 
poverty, and its attendant disease, which often reaches the 
point that prevents their leaving home, hovel, or whatever 
may be their place of tarrying, to go forth as foragers 
about the camps. One of our camera fiends got a snap- 
shot of one of these bands, his comrades having succeeded 




HUNGRY CUBANS AT MOUNTAIN PA; 



in lining them up for the occasion, while at the mountain 
pass camp. Still it should not be inferred that the habit of 
going so scantily dressed is a sure sign of abject poverty, 
for absolute nudity of children up to six years old is a com- 
mon sight in this island Even among those in the strata 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



349 



above what we would designate poverty, it is a stroke of 
economy and of common practice. 

The conditions at this camp, above any other on this 
outing, seemed to be more conducive to an easy, " as you 
please" attitude in the soldier, from the highest rank to 
the humblest in the line. The day's march, the balmy 
restfulness of the quiet breeze, and all the environments, 
seemed to lend their aid in its production, as some of the 




HUNGRY TRIO WATCHING BILL GET SUPPER. 



snap-shots of the occasion clearly evidenced. About 9:30 
P. M., of the day on which we entered this delightful place, 
and after all at headquarters were snugly tucked away on 
their folding cots, or peacefully resting upon the bosom of 



350 HISTORY OF THli 

mother earth, a voice was heard making inquiry for that 
particular point in camp, and soon an orderly from General 
Douglas' headquarters, which was located some distance in 
our advance, had scaled the wall and stood at the open 
front of headquarters tent with an order in hand, directing 
the colonel to remain in camp during the next day. After 
his departure a few brief comments followed, and all sank 
again into that peaceful quiet so characteristic of this end 
of the camp. 

Accordingly the trumpet call on the following morning, 
Saturday, created no unusual activity in the camp, but the 
inquiry upon many lips was " do we have to break camp 
this morning? "or "I wonder if we will get a chance to go 
on the mountain today?" and many similar ones. 

But knowledge of the order that reached the camp 
the night before having been spread, all uneasiness on this 
line was dismissed from the mind, and the boys began their 
hasty preparations for a real day's outing in the timber 
clad mountain. It was generally understood that camp 
would be broken Sunday morning and the homeward march 
continued, with the hope in many minds of reaching camp 
Columbia the same evening, thus ending the march and an 
eight days' outing. But as was common, at least in this 
army, we were doomed to disappointment, for by some hook- 
crook or carelessness, quite likely the latter, on the part of 
some one, the order to move did not reach our headquar- 
ters until 4 o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday. This was 
the signal for hasty work in camp, as supper had to be 
prepared and eaten, cooking utensils and other parapher- 
nalia packed and loaded on the wagons before a start could 
be made. But all hands were joined together in their 
respective spheres, and as usual proved that we were equal 
to the emergency, for by 5:15 we were on the move to 
where, few, if any, clearly realized. A tramp of four 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



351 




GIVING AN ORDER — COL. SWIFT AND CAPT. PARKER. 



kilometers brought us to a little thatched village, at which 
point we started south at right angles to the road we had 
been traveling, and on which we were now to continue our 
march, notwithstanding it seemed to be almost the oppo- 
site direction from that of our destination. All went well 
except, that darkness was shutting out the scenes through 
which we were passing. Yet this did not seriously in- 
convenience us, as we had smooth footing for a distance 
of three and one-half kilometers, when, as if by a kind of 
magic, the macadamized road closed, and we entered a 
narrow way hedged on either side up to the cart track 
with a heavy growth of tropical vegetation, the kind, we 



352 HISTORY OF THE 

could not determine, only as we felt the keen sting of a 
thorn when we pressed too far out in our narrow confines. 
But this was pleasant in comparison to what awaited us 
but a few hundred yards beyond, where we entered a deep 
cut which did not add anything to the comfort of our travel 
over a strange road in the dark. These cuts occurred at 
many points on the route, it being what is called, I believe, 
a sunken military road, and these cuts were designed to 
protect men from the enemy at exposed points by lowering 
the road so as to bring their heads below the level of the 
land. But to add to our discomfort, much of this dismal 
route was very stony, with deep ruts, while at other places 
it was overgrown with rank vegetation, except the pack 
mule track: besides its winding about as if designed to get 
the traveler " rattled " as to whether he was still going for- 
ward or had taken the backward trail. About five miles of 
this dreary, dismal tramp brought us to another village, 
Manangua, where we struck the terminus of another military 
pike of eighteen and one-half kilometers in length, leading to 
Havana, and on which we continued about four kilometers, 
when we found a suitable camping ground, and very soon 
occupied it, for we were a weary set of men; having 
marched about eighteen or twenty kilometers, and part of 
that over the roughest road we have met with in all our army 
experience, and that in the short space of five hours: going 
into camp about ten that night. Nothing daunted by this 
Sunday's march, Monday at 8 o'clock in the morning found 
us with camp broke and all packed ready when the com- 
mand to march was given, and we started out on another 
fine road, with strange scenery on every hand, relieving 
somewhat the monotony, at least the weariness of mind, 
as we marked the usual one hundred and twenty pace 
per minute toward the city of Havana, to which, in this 
part of the island, like Rome, "all roads lead." 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 353 

At high noon the band again struck up one of its fami- 
liar airs, and we marched into camp Columbia, saturated 
with perspiration, covered with dust and weary in body, 
having made about twenty kilometers, mostly under what 
seemed a summer heat in this tropical relgion. . 

Among the funny things that happened during this 
outing was the following, which occurred at General Doug- 
lass' Brigade Headquarters. Sometime earlier in the his- 
tory of the brigade, some of the boys had smuggled a billy 
goat kid into the camp, not knowing just how Gen. Doug- 
lass might take to his goatship. But he very soon became 
the pet of all connected with the General's staff, the 
General included, and under such circumstances his goat- 
ship's propensities developed quite rapidly, especially his* 
butting qualities. On the occasion referred to Capt. 
Snyder's (Brig. Q. M.) cot had by some means been pushed; 
against the wall of the tent, forcing it out so that the tent 
wall rested on the pillow end, and which "billy" during 
the day had discovered in making his rounds of the camp; 
and as it suited his fancy for a day snooze, he appro- 
priated it for a bed: quitting it later in the day doubtless for 
his evening meal and a stroll. But bed time came, and the 
Captain entering the tent found his cot in order and accord- 
ingly pushed the tent wall out and laid himself quietly down 
among his companions and soon was sweetly resting in the 
arms of Morpheus. 

Meantime "billy" came back, and finding changes 
had been made, proceeded to prepare for his night's rest 
by removing the unseen intruder, for the captain was in- 
side and he outside the tent. Accordingly he applied the 
battering-ram of his artillery, and the captain was startled 
by the weight of his butting capacity as their heads met, 
while "billy" stepped back to determine results before de- 
ciding on an increase of force. The captain, thinking his 

23 



354 



HISTORY OF THE 



next cot neighbor, Captain Hale, had been getting off one 
of his tricks, soon came to a sitting posture and armed 
himself with one of his shoes, and then quietly "laid for 
his man " to make the next move, which he felt sure would 
come when he was thought to have again found grace with 
Morpheus. Just then "billy," having concluded that his 
first attack had driven the intruder from his appropriated 
quarters, placed his front feet on the head of the cot to in- 
vestigate more closely before proceeding farther. Just 
then the captain, by the light of the moon, discovered his 
goatship's head as it pressed gently against the canvass, 
giving a clear outline of his graceful horns, and instantly he 
planted the heel of his No. — shoe square in "billy's" 
face just above his eyes, which so insulted his goatship's 
dignity — having never been treated other than with the ut- 




ON GUARD — EARLY MORNING. 



most kindness and indulgence— that he quietly sauntered 
off to seek a more congenial quarter, while the captain 
rubbed his head and tried to conciliate the insulted dream- 
god, Morpheus. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 355 

This trip certainly fitted us for what followed during 
the succeeding days, a cessation of drills and dress parades: 
a rest than which we never enjoyed more. But this happy 
state of things was not to continue long, for ere the week 
had run its course, lest our joints become stiffened and our 
muscles relaxed from excessive idleness, the Colonel ordered 
the resumption of our old trade, and the drill ground was 
again subjected to a good tramping every morning, and its 
smoothness tested by a regimental parade in the evening, 
while a renewal of the police work was not forgotten, but 
if anything, more systematically and vigorously pushed for- 
ward, looking to the thorough sanitation of our camp. But 
all our duties were not confined to our part of the camp. 
It remained for March 27, 1899, to reveal the time when 
the final review of the Seventh Army Corps was to take 
place. For some time the presence of General Alger, the 
secretary of war, had been expected in Cuba. That time 
had arrived, and so also had orders at our headquarters to 
take part in a grand review in his presence on the afternoon 
of the above date. Accordingly everything was put in read- 
iness, even to a clean shave, and at 2:30 the lines were being 
formed for the march to the review ground fully a mile to 
our southwest, when our regiment was assigned first place 
in the order of review, the place which she was so emi- 
nently competent to fill. The conduct of the regiments on 
this occasion, including the cavalry and artillery, which 
brought up the rear, was not inferior to the excellent work 
done by the corps on former occasions, and when it is re- 
membered that the corps was already disintegrating, some 
of the regiments having been sent to the states for muster 
out, there is great reason for pleasurable recollections of 
the excellent display made on this occasion. Especially 
had this regiment reason to be thankful for its painstaking, 
earnest efforts during its whole history, when we heard the 




» 



2PK 

■ '-a 




FOURTH ILLINOIS. 




CAMP BARBER SHOP. 

words of praise uttered in its favor by the highest author- 
ities in our army, as the following, clipped from the Paris 
Beacon, reported by Ralph Wooley, clearly shows: 

"A big review was held in honor of Secretary Alger 
Monday afternoon. Of course there are not many soldiers 
here now, but when they are all massed a good showing 
was made nevertheless. 

" After the Fourth had returned from the review, offi- 
cers' call was immediately blown. This caused the soldiers to 
think that orders to go home had been received and ' Illi- 
nois! Illinois!' was shouted in stentorian tones. "There 
were no orders, but news almost as pleasing awaited the 
officers who were assembling. When all had gathered 
around him the Colonel said in part: 'Today, was held 
probably the last review of the seventh army corps, and I 



358 HISTORY OF THE 

want to say that I am prouder than ever of my excellent 
regiment, which made its usual fine appearance in to-day's 
show. As the regiment passed the reviewing stand I over- 
heard General Keifer as he leaned foward in his saddle and 
said to Secretary Alger: " Mr. Secretary, this, in my opinion, 
is the best regiment in the seventh army corps and always 
has been. " The secretary readily agreed with the General, 
adding that he had been apprised of this fact before.' ' ! 

At this late day lumber for our flooring was being 
shipped in and from time to time a few loads were secured 
and the long desired and much needed improvement went 
forward, not reaching completion until the corps was break- 
ing up for return to the United States. The few last weeks 
of our sojourn in camp developed nothing new or startling, 
the life of the regiment moving on in a kind of routine line, 
under which the men became restless, even impatient, over 
the long delayed order for their departure to the land of 
their birth and the home of their love. But like all things 
human this strain had its end, being broken by the follow- 
ing orders: the first of which was slow in getting to the 
rank and file in a definite, reliable way, perhaps because of 
its indefiniteness as to date of leaving, as its perusal will 
reveal. 

Havana, April i, 1899. 
To Commanding General, Beuna Vista: 

The division commander directs that the Third Ne- 
braska, Ninth Illinois, Forty-ninth Iowa, Sixth Missouri 
and Fourth Illinois be prepared to go to the states as soon 
as transports arrive, of which you will be duly notified. 
These regiments should have their records prepared at once 
so there will be no delay in mustering them out. They 
will go in the orders named. The question of taking or 
leaving tentage will be decided hereafter. Their spare 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 359 

ordnance and ammunition should be turned in at once, and 
property responsibility settled so that there may be no con- 
fusion when it is decided they should start. 

[Signed,] 

Richards, 

Adjutant-General. 
O. C. 196. 

By this it will be seen the date of departure is not 
given, and the order of removal put the Fourth Illinois at 
the last in the list of these regiments, to lift its gentle feet 
from the soil of Cuba. But later developments show that 
this privilege, for some reason, was at last denied us, as 
Colonel Swift predicted it would be soon after the order 
came to hand; since he knew, as no other man in the regi- 
ment, the wires that were being pulled to give that distinc- 
tion to another regiment, and it is certain Egypt got the 
glory. But the mental tension left by the former order, 
was not to continue many days, as is seen in the following 
order which reached our camp about i o'clock in the after- 
noon of its date, and was soon the public property of the 
regiment. 

Headquarters Division of Cuba, 
Havana, Cuba, April 3, 1899. 
Major-General Lee, Commanding Department Province of 

Havana: 

General — The major-general commanding directs me 
to send, for your information and guidance, the following 
extract of telegram received last night: 

"The first eight regiments (meaning the Third Ken- 
tucky, Department Matanzas; the Third Nebraska, Ninth 
Illinois, Forty-ninth Iowa, Sixth Missouri, Fourth Illinois, 
your department; and the Thirty-first Michigan and Sixth 
Ohio, department Santa Clara) named in your cablegram 



36O HISTORY OF THE 

of April i st, to come out of Cuba, have been assigned to 
ships as indicated in cablegram to you of April 1st. The 
assignments are as follows: 

"Third Nebraska, Thomas; Ninth Illinois, Dixie; 
Forty-ninth Iowa, San Antonio and Vigilancia; Sixth Mis- 
souri, Seneca; Fourth Illinois, Plant System, Yarmouth, 
Olivette and Whitney. 

" But it may not be possible to have these vessels to 
arrive in the order in which you have designated regiments 
to return to the United States. For instance, two ships 
to carry the Fourth Illinois will be in Havana April 3rd. 
It is desired that vessels which have been assigned to par- 
ticular regiments shall bring those regiments out as indi- 
cated, and to such points as they will be directed before 
vessels leave Cuban ports. It will be necessary that 
adjutant-general be notified well in advance of date vessel 
will be ready to sail, so that you can receive instructions to 
what quarantine stations ship is to go, after conference 
here with the marine hospital service. 

' ' These regiments will bring with them necessary 
tentage, cots, cooking utensils and ten days' rations, so that 
they can go into camp at quarantine station where ordered. 
If necessary, tentage brought with them can be left stand- 
ing at quarantine, and, after baggage is disinfected, vessel 
may proceed with regiment to final point of debarkation. 

"The surgeon-general marine hospital service insists 
that there shall be no mattresses for officers or men brought 
along, and it is so ordered. Records should not be packed 
with clothing, but should be available for work during 
quarantine detention. 

"Colonel Ballinger is arranging for these camps, and 
desires that no troops start before April 5th. It is import- 
ant that you report what parts of regiments are on different 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 361 

ships, so that they will be ordered to go to the same 
quarantine station. 

"By order Assistant Secretary of War, 

" Corbin. " 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
[Signed] W. V. Richards, 

Adjutant-General. 

This, coupled with the fact that the paymaster was 
hurried into our camp late that afternoon to gladden our 
hearts by replenishing our depleted spelters and purses 
with the " root of all evil, " that we might be able to secure 
something for the satisfying of the inner man while on the 
journey, in case we did not fall on some " lone isle " where 
these things could not be purchased for love or money; all 
tended to confirm the convictions in every heart that our 
days in Cuba were assuredly numbered, and would be 
speedily realized. Accordingly, every man in camp began 
the task of putting their souvenirs and relics (the larger 
part of their baggage) in shape for transportation, while the 
men that had been waiting for an opportune time to make 
his purchases in this line, hastened to the city under the 
protection of a pass, or otherwise, if too timid to attempt 
the procuring of one. Still night settled down upon us 
with no further omen as to the hour or date of departure; 
and at the usual hour, at least for pay day, which was 
always a little later than on ordinary days, the camp took 
on its usual quiet, when slumber closes the eyes and stills 
the mouth (except when he snores) of the otherwise persis- 
tent grumbler and kicker. But scarce had the wee hours 
of the morning of the 4th of April begun their stealthy ap- 
proach, when an orderly from corps headquarters, treading 
rapidly on the threshhold of the exit door at 1 o'clock A. 
M., halted in front of the colonel's tent and gave the usual 



362 HISTORY OF THE 

signal of the caller at a tent door; that is, a few vigor- 
ous applications of the finger-nails on the front of your 
canvas home, similar to those so commonly applied to the 
parts of the body in easy reach, when a big Cuban hopper, 
called a flea, makes application for a sample of your pre- 
cious life fluid. The signal being answered by the colonel, a 
paper was placed in his hand, which was at once passed to 
Captain Parker, the adjutant occupying the next tent, who 
was soon on the headquarters street visiting the officers 
concerned and the leader of the band, to whom the follow- 
ing was communicated: 

Headquarters Division of Cuba, ) 
Havana, April 4, 1899. ) 
Commanding General, Buena Vista: 

Send in at once headquarters and three companies 
Fourth Illinois to go on Whitney, and five companies to go 
on Yarmouth, the remaining four companies will go on 
Yarmouth Friday next. Telegraph when troops may be 
expected at wharf. 

By Command of Major-General Brooke. 
[Signed.] Richards, 

Adjutant General. 
O. C. 204. 

Headquarters Seventh Army Corps, 1 

Camp Columbia. \ 

Havana, Cuba, April 4, 1899. J 

Official copy respectfully furnished the commanding 
officer of the Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for com- 
pliance and immediate report. 

By Command of Major-General Lee. 



Assistant Adjutant General. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 363 

This called out a genuine camp shout from the quar- 
ters of the band and certain other tents in this part of 
camp, while active operations began, looking to compliance 
with the order. At 6 in the morning the long wagon 
train began to centralize about headquarters, awaiting or- 
ders as to their disposition, for which they did not have to 
wait long, and by 9 o'clock Companies L, F, D and C, 
forming the first battalion, under Maj. L. E. Bennet, had 
tents down and rolled, all stores packed, and the same load- 
ed on the wagons assigned to them. While all the im- 
provised tables, benches and discarded articles were piled 
in heaps and committed to the flames, which did their 
work thorougly, this being the last act of our sanitation, 
leaving only the floors and a clean camp for the next regi- 
ment, if any should be so fortunate as to locate here. And 
soon the regiment was broken by this detachment moving 
out from them, leaving the beautiful camp with all its his- 
tories, to be seen again perhaps, only in the archives and 
picture galleries of our memories. 

While it was not a sad parting as when we bid the last 
good bye to loved ones and friends, turning our backs 
upon the homes of our childhood near one year previous, 
when we started out with bouyant hopes that it would be 
ours to strike a blow in the liberating of the people of this 
island, in which we have been merely sojourners for three 
months: spending the most delightfully pleasant winter we 
ever experienced, thus escaping the severest of weather in 
our native state. To the music of our excellent band the 
agile feet of some three hundred men were keeping time, 
measuring off the regulation pace; as they passed out the 
north entrance of our camp into the road leading to Ha- 
vana, retracing the steps that brought them from thence 
through the then strange scenery of a land whose customs 
and habits bore so distinctly the marks of antiquity. By 



364 HISTORY OF THE 

eleven in the morning we had entered the San Jose wharf 
shed, when we rested, lunched and waited while the Cuban 
warehouse force were busily unloading our goods and trans- 
ferring them to the Plant System steamer Whitney, which 
lay at anchor in the bay near the wreck of the Maine. 
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the members of the staff 
present, the band and companies L, F and D boarded a 
United States tug and were steamed out to the Whitney 
and went aboard to await her readiness for the start on her 
voyage. Here for the first time the full import or rather 
the full text of the early morning orders began to dawn upon 
the minds of most of us in this battalion, when Company 
C was "turned down" at this point or detached from the 
battalion to make a period of its history in connection with 
the second battalion, which was just marching into the 
dock sheds as we were vacating them. 

The Whitney is of medium size, a sidewheeler, with 
lower and upper decks, on the latter of which, amidship is 
located the state rooms, saloon or dining room, kitchen, 
offices and store rooms with pilot house still above. 

The laws of our ports require all vessels landing at 
other ports to leave the harbor before sunset, which time 
was rapidly creeping upon up, as the rich tints of gold, crim- 
son and blue began to blend in the western sky, while they 
deepened and changed behind the fleecy clouds that skimmed 
along the horizon, seemingly bathing their wings in the 
gentle rolling waves of the ocean, where like a timid child, 
it would hide itself from the searching gaze of the onlooker. 
Still while the time for our departure had drawn near an 
important part of our cargo, that is our commissary stores, 
were not yet loaded and the vessel bringing it from the 
dock was not in sight. But our ship's captain evidently 
had been there before, hence ready for the emergency that 
was upon us. Presently a peculiar quivering of the ship 



366 HISTORY OF THE 

was felt, while a screaking, cracking noise came from the 
hull of the vessel, which informed those familiar with it, 
that the anchor was being raised. Immediately following, 
the great paddles on the .wheels at her sides began to move 
gently, as if fearful of disturbing the quiet of the murky 
filthy water of this bay; while the old ship stood still as if 
defying the action of her machinery and power of steam. 
But while these seeming pretenses to a movement from the 
harbor were being enacted, a large tug came around the 
vessels along the west shore with a speed that sent the 
waves rolling to port and starboard as her prow divided the 
waters before her, she rounded aft our ship and made 
herself fast to our bow. At once strong hands began the 
work of transferring her cargo, which proved to be the 
rations for our trip, into the hold of the Whitney. 

By this time the objects on shore clearly revealed that 
we were on the move, for the great engines on our boat 
were breathing more heavily and the wheels were churning 
the waters of the narrow doorway of this almost rock bound 
harbor, while the sun still hung a little distance above the 
ocean horizon. 

We had been on the dreary waste of ocean, which 
stretched far out before us, but a short time, when from 
old Moro's tower flashed out her brilliant light, while for 
miles along the shore west of the bay the electric lights of 
Havana city flashed and sparkled like a long row of dia- 
monds set at irregular intervals. The sight was one not to 
be produced in pen picture or easily erased from the sensi- 
tive plates of memory. Thus while our approach to this 
quaint old city, about which clusters so much history, was 
so impressive, not less was that of our departure. 

The evening shades had scarcely deepened into night, 
before we began to have that peculiar funny feeling that 
comes to one when the car of an elevator starts down with 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 367 

a rush, and there seems to be something just back of and 
below the sternum, that had not weight enough about it to 
keep pace with the heavier portions of the body, and you 
find yourself making involuntary efforts to swallow some- 
thing that persists in seeking the light. But this one great 
difference is noticeable, that in the one case you succeed 
and in the other you don't, as was evidenced on this occa- 
sion, and especially while crossing the gulf stream; for some 
of the boys declare, they "threw up everything but their 
job in the army." This condition of things continued 
through the greater part of Wednesday, the sea calming 
somewhat as the day wore wearily toward its close, and we 
entered upon a more peaceful night to enjoy the sweets 
with which the dream god regales his votaries. Wednes- 
day morning early, found some of us astir, anxiously looking 
like Noah's dove, for a place, even some lonely island, 
whereupon to set our feet. And as the light brushed back 
the gray dawn toward the west, the low sand beach of the 
keys about the bay of Tampa became visible and after an 
hour's easy sailing, we could see quite clearly the buildings 
and docks of the state quarantine station on Mullet Key in 
front, while to our left, was the light house and government 
quarantine station on Egmont Key. Between us and 
Egmont was a large vessel with her hull dressed in black, 
and her decks crowded with what seemed to be human be- 
ings, which as we drew nearer proved to be the Second Bat- 
talion of our regiment, whom we left on the docks at 
Havana. Through the lieetness of their ship, as we learned 
later, they were brought into the placid waters of Tampa 
bay twelve hours ahead of us, having gained sixteen hours 
on the Whitney, which, had it not been for the chagrin we 
felt at creeping in, as if we had been belated, as the boys 
sometimes were after visiting the city, we certainly would 
have cheered the gallant Yarmouth more enthusiastically. 



368 HISTORY OF THE 

For certainly we were ready to vote that the most unpleas- 
ant feature about our boat as a transport for soldiers, or 
even perhaps for cattle, was her lack of speed. Besides 
the rougher the sea, the slower she goes, since her wheels 
lost most of their utility by being partly or wholly out of 
the water. 

After reporting at the state quarantine office we drifted 
about aimlessly in the bay for some time, until a health 
officer from the government station came out to learn our 
condition and arranged tor us to disembark. Accordingly 
about 9:30 a lighter was pushed along side of us and 
the work of unloading began, and continued throughout 
the day and. into the night, having removed the men from 
the Whitney about sundown and the last from the Yar- 
mouth after dark. Once on Egmont Key and we began 
to get some idea of what the term "disinfect" means 
when applied to soldiers and their belongings in a quaran- 
tine station. As the soldiers passed one of the buildings 
they were required to surrender their entire pack, except 
guns, the whole of which was placed in an immense cast- 
iron boiler shaped vessel, and sealed up steam tight, while 
the boiling steam was forced through them for two or three 
hours. You can imagine what the straps on their haver- 
sacks, leather grips, gloves etc., were like, passing through 
this ordeal, while our trunks, boxes and hand baggage 
were all opened by us or by the fumigating force in such 
a way as came most easily to their hand, the contents 
partly removed or raised up and a decoction that smelled 
like, well, after the first whiff you quit smelling it if you 
could, for it would take your breath, or make you think 
you were getting sea sick. Nor would you be at all sur- 
prised that such a compound would destroy the life of any 
germ, having as it had in such great degree the "get 
there " penetrating qualities that would search them out 




24 



370 HISTORY OF THE 

in the very fibre of the wood, and the power that would 
take the life it had thus sought out. With this fluid, harm- 
less to anything but yellow silk and germs, they sprinkled 
pretty freely, as some of us discovered to our regret, four 
or five days later, then closed our trunks or boxes and 
with strips of paper sealed up the opening and around 
the lids, placing them by the hundred in a tight room and 
leaving them to their fate, that is, the germs. This latter 
process being harmless in itself to any fabric, the long 
delay before we could open and dry our garments, etc. , 
caused mildew, but the steam process got away with 
things generally, so far as future utility or beauty was 
concerned. While all this was going on the boys were 
roaving, but not to their hearts' content, over the white 
sand, of which this island seems principally to be com- 
posed, in a corral of some ten acres, surrounded by a high 
wire fence that reminded one of Weyler's trochas in Cuba; 
beyond which, if one did, soldier like, make his escape, he 
was likely to get a dose of fine shot from the muzzle of a gun 
made to shoot that kind of missiles, in the hands of a'civil- 
ian guard, or have the exquisite pleasure of remaining in 
quarantine for another ten days, and perhaps cause all the 
rest of us to experience the same undesirable pleasure. To 
say these restraints were chafing to men who had antici- 
pated the glorious privilege of roaving this farm of Uncle 
Sam's of one-half by one mile in size and gathering the 
shells of the briny deep, is to state it very tamely indeed. 

But the three days and four nights over, joyfully the 
entire lot of us, baggage and all, crowded upon the little 
Margaret, where we found little more than standing room. 
A three and a-half hours ride up the bay brought us to Port 
Tampa, where we again became detached bodies, forming 
three sections of a train which supposedly pulled out for Sa- 
vannah, Georgia. But to our surprise we found ourselves 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



371 




■ 



TRANSPORT MARGARET. 



brought together again the following day about 3:00 in the 
afternoon on a siding four miles west of Augusta, Georgia, 
from whence we marched into camp MacKenz-ie, one mile 
distant, to find tents, mess shacks, and all other camp 
conveniences, even to electric lights on our streets. Here- 
after eight days of camp life with morning drills cut off, 
but added vigorously to the evening dress parade, we were 
again joined by our companions of the third battalion who 
had passed over the same line but with added unpleasant- 
ness. Thus camp life was again upon us in all its features 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 373 

of routine, pleasant and otherwise, but with a fixed time 
for its culmination, that is, May second. As a preparatory 
to this, all books and accounts must be balanced and 
closed up, in order to the accomplishment of which a large 
increase in the clerical force was made in every company, 
and other offices; while the boards of survey must account 
for the shortage in expendible and non-expendible prop- 
erty of the Government, for the very exigencies in the 
movement of the army put it beyond the hope of any 
other fair or honorable solution. Besides this physical ex- 
amination must be passed through again, to determine the 
possibility of pension claims from physical disabilities 
incurred in the line of military duty. While muster out rolls 
and discharges, all found their places in the short allotted 
time. 

A week previous to mustering out the boys were 
ordered to turn in to the captains of their respective com- 
panies their knapsacks, haversacks, canteens and eating 
utensils, which looked as though they might get to eat at 
a table otherwise spread. But instead they only had them 
reissued at each meal and then returned again. 

On April 27th they began turning in their weapons of 
warfare at the Augusta arsenal. Immediately after guard- 
mount, at 8:30 in the morning on the following date, our 
band was ordered to turn in its instruments also, a mat- 
ter of regret to most of the command, since it so greatly 
changed the conditions in camp, cutting off, the enliven^ 
ing and cheery music to which we had become so famil- 
iar and had learned to appreciate so highly. Thus every 
phase of camp life took on a changed appearance, which 
continued with but slight variation until we lined up, 
company after company, and passed through the very 
delightful part of our army program, the muster out. It 
was during our stay at^Camp MacKenzie the very important 



374 HISTORY OF THE 

and responsible duties of provost marshal were laid upon 
the sturdy shoulder of our worthy colonel. Swift, by whom, 
it can easily be guessed, the work was well and faithfully 
done; for a detail of the choicest men of his own regiment 
were placed in the city to execute his orders. Thus the 
time wore wearily on to the 2nd day of May, 1899, when 
the joy that had been warming in the hearts of the boys for 
several days, seemed to reach the boiling point, and they 
fairly boiled over at times, as one by one the companies 
were mustered out, and once more citizens, or milder, 
civilians of the United States. With all the disadvantages 
through which this regiment was called to pass, from its 
call to arms as state militia on the 26th day of April, 1898, 
it has nevertheless made for itself a record of high order, 
both as to its discipline, ability in tactics on all lines of 
duty, as well as on the march. It is therefore with pleas- 
ure and gratitude we remind the reader that the Fourth 
regiment has in no way lowered the good name of our 
state, whose sons have proven by the numbers that have 
rushed to arms in defense of the honor of the stars and 
stripes in two wars in less than half a century, with a 
loyalty and patriotism that has not been excelled by any 
state in the Union. In both these wars she has cheerfully 
aided sister states in the making up of their quota of men. 
And while it was not their privilege to enter the field of 
actual conflict and face a defiant enemy, the fact that they 
chafed under the circumstances and restraints that held 
them back from it, is full proof of their willingness and 
earnest desire to demonstrate to the enemy that were a 
" foe equal to his steel." Nor would the opportunity have 
revealed in them anything less than a courage commen- 
surate with their desire. Neither has this regiment on any 
occasion had to take the back seat in the corps, when 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 375 

battle tactics were to be exhibited, dress parades and 
reviews participated in, or a heavy march executed. 

The success that has attended it in all its varied du- 
ties and relations, calling out, as it has, the highest ap- 
proval of those well fitted to judge of merit as well as ef- 
fort, is not due to the diligence and efficiency of a few in its 
composite, but rests on the fact, that from the private in 
the ranks to the colonel at its head, there were, in no small 
numbers, men who were ready to, and did perform their 
duty promptly, energetically and faithfully. These are the 
facts that have led up to so many commendable statements 
like the following from President McKinley, who was 
moved to say as it passed in review before him: "It is the 
best volunteer regiment I ever saw." 

In saying what we have, it was not to imply that there 
were no other regiments of true merit in this army corps, 
nor would we attempt to dim their just glory. But as they 
have made their own history, we leave it to them to pub- 
lish it. For we believe it was an army of picked men, 
chosen for the most arduous task that confronted the nation 
in its conflict with Spain in Cuba, as the following clipping 
will reveal: 

"Havana. April 17. — The last general order issued by 
Fitzhugh Lee to his command, the Seventh Army Corps, 
is in part as follows: 

"An order has been received which moves the last 
regiment of the Seventh Army Corps across the sea to be 
mustered out, and the ranks of the organization will be 
forever broken. The record made by the officers and the 
men will forever be preserved on the pages of military his- 
tory. No troops won greater reputation for discipline, 
drill, manly discharge of duty, soldierly conduct, and cheer- 
ful obedience to orders. 

"The president's assurance that had the war with 



376 



HISTORY OF THE 



Spain continued the Seventh Army Corps would have been 
selected to lead the assault on the Havana lines, proves 
that the corps possessed the confidence of the commander- 
in-chief of the army and navy, a confidence shared by his 
fellow countrymen. 

"It is gratifying, in reviewing the career of the corps, 
to remember the harmony which existed among the 40,- 
000 soldiers who answered the roll call at Tampa, Jackson- 
ville, Savannah and Cuba. Whether volunteer soldiers of 
the North or South, they took the sunshine and the storm 
of camp together, and marched side by side under one flag, 
one cause, one country." 

It was certainly an army of men, at the mention of 
whose names its honored and worthy commander would 
have no reason to blush or offer an apology. 




NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF COMPANY G. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



377 



By unforseen causes, some cuts were not inserted at 
their proper places in the body of the book, hence they 
are placed elsewhere in the work. 




NON-COMMISSK 



FICEKS OF COMPANY F. 



378 HISTORY OF THE 

We here give a few poems referring to our worthy 
regiment. 

WARNING TO ILLINOIS GIRLS. 

[BY A SAVANNAH, GEORGIA, GIRL.] 

Listen young ladies of Illinois 

To a story I'll tell of your charming boys 

Who came to our city in '98 

To guard its citizens early and late. 

They guarded our town, and captured the hearts 
Of Maids and matrons down in these parts, 
By their pluck and zeal, and manly ways, 
And well the Fourth deserves the praise. 

How well they marched on the grand review, 
So well, indeed, that the president, too, 
Said to their colonel, standing near, 
'Tis the best drilled regiment passed by here. 

And oh, how we cheered our boys that day; 
And oh, how we wept, when they sailed away, 
While since they are gone our girls are blue, 
And talk of going to Cuba, too. 

And indeed we'll go, if we hear again 
That girls up north are threatening them 
With dangers worse than Spanish foes. 
We'll go to Cuba to sooth their woes. 

We'll bring them back to our city fair, 
Then every day'll be "Thanksgiving" here; 
And we'll be so kind, and good, and true 
They'll never go back again to you. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 379 

Now think of the boys you'd make exiles, 
Delightedly basking in southern smiles. 
First Willie McKnight, a charming lad, 
Next in the procession then comes Dad. 

And after him comes trooping others, — 
Rolla and Babe, and Kincade brothers; 
And right in line is our bonnie son Beam, 
And all the men on the foot ball team. 

There's many more I might mention yet, 
Of the gallant Fourth, whom our girls have met; 
Whom the girls all love, esteem and admire, 
To sing their praises we never tire. 

But suffice it now, and listen well, 
For this is a secret I'm going tell, 
The boys to their girls up north are true; 
So don't get huffy, cross nor blue. 

Don't threaten the lads with ire and wrath, 
Lest Savannah girls may stand in your path, 
To protect the Fourth with their lives they would, 
The Fourth, so brave, so true and good. 

L. 

The above was written by a lady of Savannah, Geor- 
gia, about the date of the departure of the regiment for 
Cuba. 

Having failed to secure the first poem written in reply 
to the foregoing, we give the second, and the final reply 
from the South. 



380 HISTORY OF THE 

OUR DEFENSE. 

(A northern girl's reply to a southern girl's poem.) 

The girls of the north-land, 
The "Illinois Fourth land," 

Beg favor to rise and remark 
That the girl of the south-land, 
The cotton and drouth land, 

Seems floundering 'round in the dark. 
With thanks for her questions, 
Advice and suggestions, 

We feel it our duty, you know, 
To inform her politely, 
Though plainly and tritely, 

We can manage to "hoe our own row." 

We've short girls and tall girls, 
And big girls and small girls, 

And girls of all sizes between; 
We've maidens contrary-like, 
Girls literary-like, 

Witching girls, girls like a queen. 
We have fickle girls, faithful girls, 
Awkward girls, graceful girls, 

Girls who old stockings will mend; 
We have homely and pretty girls, 
Dull girls and witty girls, 

Girls who a fortune would spend. 

We've girls with true eyes, 
Sweet, innocent, blue eyes — 

With eyes that are earnest and brown — 
With eyes, softly yellow, 
That vanquish a fellow, 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



381 



Glancing upward, then witchingly down. 
Our sweet, gracious actions, 
Our countless attractions 

Make us fair in our brave soldiers' eyes, 
And few girls of Savannah, 
In way, shape or " manneh " 

Can rival the beauty they prize. 

We need not to worry, 
To fret or to flurry, 

Or cause ourselves useless alarms. 
All gossip we hear not, 
All rivals we fear not, 

For we are secure in our charms. 
In this we're confiding, 
With faith strong, abiding, 

That no matter where they may roam, 
Our boys will not tarry 
Away when they marry, 

But will find their ideals at home. 

We would not be selfish, 
Or impish, or elfish, 

We're willing, in justice, to share 
Thegirl of the south land, 
The cotton and drouth land, 

May have those for whom we don't care; 
But the girl of the north-land, 
. The Illinois Fourth land, 

Is queen of her own special throne, 
And she'll keep not a part of, 
But just the whole heart of 

Her hero in " Illinois' Own." 

Mattoon, 111., May 13,-1; 



382 HISTORY OF THE 

Some time, just before the Fourth Illinois left Savan- 
nah for Cuba, one of the literary young ladies of that city 
wrote and forwarded to The Gazette a poem with our 
young soldiers as the subject. The above is an answer, by 
a Mattoon lady, to the verse which said: 

Don't threaten the lads with ire and wrath 
Lest Savannah girls may stand in your path. 
We'll bring them back to our city, fair, 
Then every day'll be Thanksgiving, here. 

Mattoon Gazette, May 26, 1899. 



SAVANNAH GIRL. 

Again I bob up with a few modest rhyms, 
In answer to Mattoon's most elegant lines, 
To say that our girls refuse to be crushed, 
Nor yet to the wall will they ever be pushed. 

We too have our girls, so bonnie and sweet, 
Whom the Fourth Illinois were delighted to meet; 
Who can make up the beds, or sweep off the hearth, 
Who lighten their labors with singing and mirth. 

Who can cook a square meal, that your boys often 

shared, 
When out at Camp Onward so badly they fared. 
Good wives they'll make in the years as the come — 
Fond, loving mothers and heaven of home. 

I've no doubt you're all your fancy doth paint, 
With eyes of the doe and face like a saint. 
But our girls have beauty of lily and rose, 
Are dainty and modest, have gracious repose. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 383 

They have hearts like yourselves, but scorn to malign 
A lot of fair maids who to their friends have been kind; 
But I'm sure in the hearts of the Fourth now at home 
Sweet thoughts of our girls fill memory's throne. 

We had no desire to win them from you, . 

But alas! many found our girls winsome and true, 

And now at the north, in anger and strife, 

You berate the poor man who came back for a wife. 

And let me here add, for I know it is true, 
(And this is no secret I'm confiding to you) 
That many who left dear sweethearts up there, 
Found out their mistake when our girls they met here. 

How could they resist our sweet southern smiles 
Or the coy charming graces of fair maidens' wiles? 
We mostly gave friendship; 'twas all that we had, 
For our love we held sacred for southern born lads. 

You girls are, at least, not generous and kind, 

For in "spite" you have answered, I beg to remind, 

A girl who had written with kindest intent 

Of the boys, for whom only warm praises were meant. 

You all seem to think that our kindness was meant 
For something of which, our girls never dreamt. 
We lack not for lovers. If we won a few hearts 
'Twas only because we acted kind sisters' parts. 

And now as I come to the end of my lay 
There's one other thing I really must say, 
That sweethearts and lovers we have by the score 
And don't have to travel to find a few more. 



384 HISTORY OF THE 

Tho' we frankly acknowledge your boys to be brave, 
Our hearts to our own boys, we long ago gave, 
Who are loyal and loving, brave, honest and true 
As the Fourth or any who wore Uncle Sam's blue. 
Savannah, June 6, 1899. Loulix. 



The two following poems have been furnished us by 
friends of the regiment, and are inserted because of their 
relation and reference to it. 

CHEER UP, CUBANS. 

By Lucy T. Sumerlin. 

Tune: " Tramp, Tramp, Tramp the Boys are MarcJiing. 

Come, ye grey coats and the blue, 

Buckle on your armor new, 
March in solid phalanx on to southern strands; 

As Yankees, we are one 

And as Yankees, we are done 
Waiting for the Spaniards to withdraw their clans. 

Chorus: 
Tramp, tramp, tramp, the boys are marching; 
Cheer up, Cubans, they will come, 

With our ships upon the sea 

And our men to march with thee 
We'll secure to you your freedom and your home. 

Twenty million men or more 
Can be drawn frorn shore to shore; 
All the Yankees full of spirit, brave and true 
Would then join the mighty host 
For which Yankees well may boast 
'Neath the stars and striper, our own red, white and 
blue. 
Chorus. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 385 

All the brave boys on the Maine 

Who by treachery were slain, 
And the battleship we prided much is gone; 

Mothers, wives and babies too, 

Cry for help to Yankees true, 
From a land where cruel Spain has reinged so long. 

Chorus. 

Shall the voice from the grave 

And the men beneath the wave 
Call for vengeance from this nation all in vain? 

We will prove our claim to worth 
When we bring down to the earth 
All the tyrants and the cruel sons of Spain. 

Chorus. 

The writer of the above, a resident of Mattoon, Illi- 
nois, is entirely blind. 



CUBAN ISLE. 

By Arthur T. French, a member of Company F, Fourth Infantry 

(FROM ILLINOIS.) 

I. 

By the gulf stream gently flowing, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 
O'er the water wave-like growing, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 

Comes an echo on the breeze, 

Reaching all the lands and seas, 
And its mellow tones are these, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 
And its mellow tones are these, Cuban Isle. 



386 HISTORY OF THE 



II. 

In your struggle now with Spain, Cuban Isle v Cuban Isle, 
May your work not be in vain, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 

'Till upon the map of time 

Trace your record out sublime 
Blotting out the Spaniard's crime, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 
Blotting out the Spaniard's crime, Cuban Isle. 

III. 

When the tyrant smote your land, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 
Spreading death on every hand, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 

Freedom from your land withdrew, 

Putting False against the True, 
There were none more brave than you, Cuban Isle, Cuban 

Isle, 
There were none more brave than you, Cuban Isle. 

IV. 

Not without thy wondrous story, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 
Can be writ the New World's glory, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 

On the record of the years 

General Maceo's name appears 
Gomez, Garcia and our tears, Cuban Isle, Cuban Isle, 
Gomez, Garcia and our tears, Cuban Isle. 

While we have confined ourselves principally to that 
period of our regiments history, which began when the last 
company, having passed the ordeal of a physical examina- 
tion, took its place in the ranks and was duly mustered 
into the services of the United States, still, in passing the 
childhood and youth of this military organization with but 
a bare mention, as we have deemed it proper, yet its latter 
history should not be read in the same light in which other 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 387 

organizations are read, that went out from this and other 
states of the Union. 

We must ever look at it in the clear light of the rela- 
tion its individual members and companies sustained to 
each other and the government, during these years of its 
youth and childhood. For while in this and other states, 
men promptly answered the call to arms from every walk 
of life, joining companies in different localities, each hold- 
ing no organic relation to the others as a regiment; this 
body was already an organized regiment which had made 
for itself a history of no secondary character, during a 
series of years while enrolled as the Fourth Illinois Nat- 
ional Guard. Thus it possessed advantages over other 
regiments just formed, in that it was already to a great 
extent acquainted with and able to execute the tactics as 
laid down for the use of our army. Hence, barring the 
fact of its newly added material, by which the companies 
were recruited up to the maximum, it was prepared to 
enter at once the arena of conflict with no small prospect 
of achieving honor in the face of the enemy on a foreign 
soil. 

It was this fact that tended greatly to chafe and 
iritate the regiment, when others, whose organization was 
much more recent and whose fitness, from a military point 
of view, was far inferior, were ordered to the front to par- 
ticipate in the short yet decisive conflict for the liberating 
of a struggling and oppressed people, who had prostrated 
themselves at the feet of our nation, pleading for deliver- 
ance with piteous tones and outstretched hands; hands lean 
and bony from want of food ruthlessly snatched therefrom, 
blood stained from their long and next to fruitless effort 
to gather from the fast wasting resources the merest sub- 
sistence. But instead of marching to this open door of 
active service, it was our lot to enter and fit up camp after 



388 



HISTORY OF THE 



camp, wearing away the days, weeks and months, in the 
most monotonus routine way conceivable, with no other 
incentive before us than the honor of attaining to a degree 
of skill in drill and camp duties, that were not to be ex- 
celled by any with whom we were associated in our brief 
tedious, and in a measure galling, army life and experience. 




MOKKO CASTLE. 



U. S. MILITARY CEMETERY. 

As many of our readers have visited what to every 
soldier in the Seventh Army Corps, is the sacred spot on 
Cuban soil, we give here a cut of the U. S. Military Burying 
Ground, near Playa, where we left the bodies of forty 
who were connected with the corps. 



39Q 



HISTORY OF THE 



The trenches in which these graves were formed were 
blasted out of the solid lime stone rock, after which they 
were partitioned off into places about thirty inches wide, 
with lumber, forming a box for each seperate coffin. 

The Fourth was one of the few regiments in the 
Seventh Army Corps which did not leave any of its men in 
this sacred spot. 





CAPT. AL. SNYDER, Q. M. 



S. B. BLACKWELL, Q. M. SERGT. 



AL. SNYDER. 

Capt. Al. Snyder, whose portrait we have the privilege 
to present herewith, is a native of Edgar county, Illinois — 
was born on a farm near Paris on the 17th of February, 
1853. His schooling, prior to his fourteenth year, was 
secured in the country district school near his father's 
home, except two years which were spent in the graded 
schools of Paris. From his fourteenth to the eighteenth 
year of his age he attended school in Paris, completing 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 39 1 

during this time the course of a private normal school of 

that city. 

Having moved to Areola, Douglas county, he in 1881 
entered the state militia, becoming a charter member of 
Company A, was mustered in as second lieutenant, and 
later was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant; still 
bearing this rank, at a later date he was raised to the rank 
of captain and made quartermaster and commissary of the 
Fourth Regiment, Illinois National Guard, of which Com- 
pany A formed a part. In consequence of his relations to 
this regiment, he was called upon to take a very important 
and responsible part in the strike of 1886 at East St. Louis, 
and at Centralia, Cartersville and Mounds, and at Chicago 
in the great strikes of 1894. At the call of the govern- 
ment for our state troops to take part in the war with 
Spain, he unhesitatingly answered the call, and was mus- 
tered into the United States service on the 20th of May, 
1898, as regimental quartermaster, which position he filled 
until August 8th of the same year, when, by order of Brig.- 
Gen. J. H. Barclay, he was made acting brigade quarter- 
master of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Seventh 
Army Corps. On the 19th of October, 1898, he was 
made acting brigade quartermaster of the Second Brigade, 
First Division, Seventh Army Corps, by order of Bng.- 
Gen. Henry T. Douglas. Following hard on this, on the 
20th day of the same month, by command of Major- 
General Green, he was promoted to acting assistant chief 
quartermaster of the Seventh Army Corps, while February 
15th, 1899, brought another order from Brig. -Gen. Henry 
T. Douglas, placing him in the position of acting brigade 
quartermaster, Second Brigade, First Division, Seventh 
Army Corps. 

Prior to muster out he returned to his former position 



39 2 HISTORY OF THE 

of regimental quartermaster, which he held when mustered 
out of the United States service. 

While the quartermaster's position is one involving 
much and constant work, it also entails a very heavy responsi- 
bility. It need scarcely be said that Captain Snyder did 
his work well and met every responsibility with fidelity. 

In civil life he is one of the recognized broom corn 
merchants of Areola, as well as also being engaged in the 
insurance, real estate and loan business. 



SAMUEL B. BLACKWELL, Jr. 

Among Illinois' young Nationial Guardsmen who were 
glad and proud to respond to the call of duty in the months 
which issued in the stirring year of 1898 was Samuel B. 
Blackwell, Jr., of Areola, Douglas county, Illinois. 

This young man was born in Areola, Douglas county, 
Illinois, June 8, 1872, received his education in the public 
and high schools of that place, and embarked in the grocery 
business as a member of the firm of Blackwell & McCaine 
in 1893. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in Com- 
pany A, Fourth Illinois National Guard, served as a private 
one year, as a corporal two years and was then advanced 
to the office of quartermaster-sergeant of the Fourth Illi- 
nois National Guard, which position he has held five years. 
During the strike of 1894, in Chicago, he took his stand 
against riot, with other brave sons in the Fourth Illinois. 

Duty and love for his country's beautiful Stars and 
Stripes showed this young American and soldier his duty, 
and he did it when President McKinley called for volun- 
teers for our late war with Spain. On the morning of April 
26, 1898, he left his home and friends to take his chances 
of life or death with his regiment to free Cuba. After a 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 393 

stay of one month in Springfield, Illinois, he left for Jack- 
sonville, Florida, where he remained four months; from 
there the Fourth Illinois Infantry went to Savannah, 
Georgia, where it remained until its departure for Cuba, 
January 3, 1899, on the transport Mobile. As a part of 
the "Army of Occupation" in Cuba, the Fourth Illinois 
took its share of duties, and with his regiment Samuel B. 
Blackwell, Jr., arrived in his native state in May, 1899. 
The pleasure of credit for duties well performed, from 
proper authorities, was his reward. Cuba is free and glad 
to owe its freedom to such spirits of loyalty as the subject 
of this sketch. 



REGIMENTAL BAND. 

The Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry Band was 
organized at Camp Tanner, Springfield, 111., under the 
leadership of W. L. Faris, of Jacksonville, 111., April 29, 
1898, consisting of members' names as follows: 

W. L. Faris, Chief Musician, cornet, Jacksonville, 111. 

Como Trogdon, Principal Musician, baritone, Paris, 111. 

W. T. Stewart, Principal Musician, solo alto, Paris, 111. 

Charles Nail, tuba, Donnellson, 111. 

A. C. Owings, tuba, Litchfield, 111. 

Leo J. Frey, first trombone, Springfield, 111. 

John Twitchel, first alto, Virden, 111. 

Fred R. McKnight, second alto, Ramsey, 111. ; detailed 

from Co. I. 
Albert Bassett, first cornet, Neoga, 111. 
Joy Woodman, solo cornet, Virden, 111. 
John McKnight, E cornet, Ramsey, 111. 
Carl Kirkpatrick, E clarionet, Virden, 111. 




IF**?* 







% 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 395 

Edward Dewey, saxophone, Mt. Vernon, 111. 
William Patterson, snare drum, Paris, 111. 
Jess Gossett, bass drum, Casey, 111. 
Edward Howard, cymbals, Paris, 111. 

Left Camp Tanner, Springfield, 111., with the regi- 
ment for Jacksonville, Fla., May 26, 1898; arrived at our 
destination May 29, 1898. William Santer, of Greencave 
Springs. Fla., enlisted as a private in Company K, Fourth 
Illinois Regiment, and detailed to the band to play bari- 
tone. He remained with the band until October 15, when 
he went home on a sick furlough, and October 21 he died. 
The Fourth Illinois Band played for his funeral at his home. 

October 26 we received orders to go to Savannah, Ga., 
and arrived there October 27, took up quarters in Irish 
park with Colonel Andel. Here John McKnight, who, being 
detailed from Company B, Fourth Illinois Volunteers, was 
honorably discharged on account of physical disability 
October- 30, 1898. We remained at Irish park until De- 
cember 1, 1898, when the regiment was called off provost 
guard and took up quarters at Camp Onward. Here our 
chief musician, W. L. Faris, was honorably discharged 
December 10, 1898. Here the band was reorganized and 
detached from all companies, under the leadership of W. 
E. Daggy, with the following members: 

W. E. Daggy, chief musician, cornet, Mattoon, 111. 

Camo Trogdon, principal musician, baritone, Paris, 111. 

W. T. Stewart, principal musician, solo alto, Paris, 111. 

Geo. Gibler, solo cornet, Mattoon, 111. 

Howard Style, solo cofnet, Mattoon, 111. 

Albert Bassett, first cornet, Neoga, 111. 

Louis Higgins, first cornet, Neoga, 111. 

Frank Romizer, solo B-flat clarionet, Winchester, .Ind. 



39^ HISTORY OF THE 

Wm. Plen, first B-flat clarionet, Hutsonville, 111. 

Edward Dewey, first B-flat clarionet, Mt. Vernon, 111. 

Wm. Combs, second B-flat clarionet, Areola, 111. 

Joy Woodman, E-flat clarionet, Virden, 111. 

Perl C. Newlin, piccalo, Casey, 111. 

John Twitchel, first alto, Virden, 111. 

Fred McKnight, second alto, Ramsey, 111. ; detailed from 
Company I. 

Leo. J. Fry, slide trombone, Springfield, 111. 

Don Carlos Merritt, slide trombone, Charleston, 111. 

Mark Carruthers, tennor, Hazel Del, 111. 

A. C. Owings, tennor, Litchfield, 111. 

Harry Bassett, baritone, Neoga, 111. 

Raymond Coon, tuba, Mattoon, 111. 

Chas. Wall, tuba, Donnellson, 111. 

Richard Byers, snare drum, Charleston, 111. 

Edward Howard, bass drum, Paris, 111. 

Serg. Ben Walker, drum major, Carbondale, 111.; detailed 
from Company C Dec. 15, 1898; returned to his re- 
spective company Feb. 10, 1899, at Camp Colum- 
bia, Havana, Cuba. 

Serg. Harry C. Faulke, of Company K; detailed to the 
band as drum major Feb. 10, 1899. 

Albert C. Owings; honorably discharged Feb. 16, 1899, at 
Camp Columbia, Havana, Cuba. 

Bart Kelley; detailed from Company H to play tennor in 
the absence of A. C. Owings, who was formerly 
honorably dischared. 

Wm. Patterson; detailed from Company H to play snare 
drum in the absence of Richard E. Byers, who is 
physically disabled. 



398 HISTORY OF THE 

DR. I. C. McCORD. 

Dr. I. C. McCord, major and surgeon of the Fourth 
Illinois National Guard, was born at York, Clark county, 
Illinois, December 19, 1856. He is a son of Major D. O. 
McCord, surgeon in the Civil war, and was with his father 
during that little family unpleasantness from 1863 to 1865, 
and has vivid remembrances of Vicksburg, Island No. 10, 
(Jeff) Davis Bend, Memphis, Hellena and other historic 
points in connection with those stirring days. Having been 
raised on a farm, he devoted the summer to the occupation 
of a farmer, and applied himself to his books in the village 
school during the winter; having fully replenished the wood 
pile with long poles, which was to be transformed into fire 
and stove wood for the winter use, by the application of 
brawn and ax on the Saturday rest days, when a boy enjoys 
the rabit hunt. He also sought a broader education at the 
Wabash Academy and Edgar Academy, and later graduated 
from the Medical College of Ohio, Medical Department of 
the University of Cincinnati, in 1883. 

His connection with the Illinois National Guard began 
some eighteen years ago, and during all this stretch of time 
he has missed attending but one of the state encampments, 
— in the summer of 1892, being on leave in Europe. 

In these years he has run the gauntlet of military ex- 
perience from private to that of Tegmental surgeon. He 
was ranking assistant surgeon of the state when appointed 
major and surgeon of the Fourth Illinois National Guard. 

During the railroad strikes in the spring of 1893, he 
served as surgeon of the Fourth Illinois, and also during 
the Spanish-American war, except about four months dur- 
ing the existence of the Third Division of the Seventh Army 
Corps, when he acted as surgeon of the Second Brigade, 
Third Division of the Seventh Army Corps. And when 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 399 

the Fourth regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was mus- 
tered out, May 2, 1899, he was filling his place as major 
and surgeon therein. 



LIEUT. GEORGE E. HILGARD. 

Lieut. George E. Hilgard, M. D., assistant surgeon of 
the Fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, is a resident of 
Belleville, Illinois. With the class of 1893 he graduated 
from the high school of that city and the following fall he 
entered the St. Louis Medical College, continuing his stud- 
ies for three years more, graduating from that institution 
in the year 1896. During the following two years he 
assisted the county physician, thus gaining much practical 
experience, the better fitting him for his chosen profession. 
During his school years, in 1895, he enlisted as a member 
of Company D, Fourth Illinois National Guards, and with 
it attended three annual encampments. During the third 
encampment he was placed on the regimental medical staff 
as assistant surgeon to Surgeon-Major T. C. McCord. 

The only real duty encountered while in the Illinois 
National Guard, was during the famous cyclone period 
of May, 1896, which swept over the city of St. Louis. At 
this time the company was ordered to East St. Louis, where 
it was held as a guard for eleven days. 

In February, 1898, he was commissioned as assistant 
surgeon of the Fourth Illinois National Guard. After the 
outbreak of the Spanish hostilities toward this country, the 
medical department was ordered to make certain changes — 
looking to its greater efficiency, — there being one major- 
surgeon and five assistant surgeons to the regiment. In 
order to determine those who were best fitted for such a 
position, a rigid examination was resorted to, and Lieuten- 



400 HISTORY OF THE 

ant Hilgard was one of the three successful competitors. 
Major T. C. McCord and Charles M. Galbraith, being the 
other two. 

As he was a centennial gift to his country, the Lieu- 
tenant was doubtless the youngest doctor in the division, 
if not in the entire corps, — he having had to wait one year 
for his diploma after graduating, owing to his being too 
young to practice under our state laws. His work in the 
regiment during its career in the Spanish-American quarrel, 
was of a most commendable character, and his efforts un- 
tiring. After the muster out of the regiment, Dr. Hilgard 
returned to Belleville, the place of his nativity, to continue 
in the practice of medicine. 



HOSPITAL. 



In the state militia service the fourth regiment's hos- 
pital corps consisted of Major and Surgeon T. C. McCord, 
of Paris; Captain and assistant surgeon B. F. Cook, Green- 
ville; Lieutenant and assistant surgeon Charles M. Gail- 
braith, Carbondale; Lieutenant and assistant surgeon, 
George E. Hilgard, Bellville; Steward, Walter S. Lamon, 
Paris; Steward, Harlow W. Long, Newton; Steward,, Charles 
B. Mallonee, Paris; Privates, Willis O. Augustus, Ed W. 
Dickenson, Will Blackman, Willard Matthias, George 
Boyd, Raleigh M. Woolley, Ira Huffman, Warren Wiley, 
of Paris; Percy Link, of Robinson; Andy C. Musgrave,, 
of Hutsonville; Allen P. Dibble, of Mattoon. 

The Fourth's hospital corps at this time was an en- 
tirely seperate organization from the regiment. In other 
Illinois regiments the corps were chosen from the ranks of 
the command; but that of the Fourth was recruited directly 
from civil life. 

When war with Spain was declared the corps was 
sworn into the United States service with the regiment, and 
proceeded to Jacksonville, Florida. Upon arrival at this 
camp it was learned that Congress, in calling for forces had 
neglected to make provision for volunteer hospital corps, 
consequently those men belonging to these organizations 
were compelled to be sworn into the regular army for a 
period of three years, or until the war was over. At about 
this time an order was issued announcing that these corps 
should be enlarged in point of numbers, each regiment to 
furnish from twenty-five to thirty men all told. Accord- 

26 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 403 

ingly fresh men, to complete the organization, were de- 
tailed by the twelve companies, and these, inclusive of the 
original corps , were then sworn into the regular army. 

The new men to enter this branch of the service were 
as follows: Privates Elza M. Ragan, Harry L. Cullom, 
Leonard A. Osborne, Company E; Sergeant John P. Wil- 
kins, Private Hans Gassman, Company A; Fred Huffman, 
Ed Lowe, Homer Putnam, James Logan, -Charles Bagley, 
Company H; David Black, Company L; Hugo Goelitz, 
Company D; Carl Baker, Harry Stites, Company C; John 
Hoffman, Harry S. Huffman, Bert W. Caldwell, Company 
G; Edward Hill, Malcolm Hutchison, Company I; James 
Burge, Company K; Charles E. Little, Charles O. Burton, 
Jefferson Portlock, Company B; George Perry, Claude 
McCool, James Oglesby, Company M. 

After being fully equipped with hospital accoutrements 
the majority of the me"n were permanently detailed to the 
division hospitals of the army corps, Steward Long and 
Privates Augustus and Boyd remaining at the regimental 
hospital for duty. Lieut. George E. Hilgard, Steward 
Charles B. Mallonee, and Privates Blackman, Dyas, Ewing, 
Woolley, Huffman (Ira), Hutchison, and Ragan, were sent 
to the Second Division Ambulance Company, while the 
remainder of the organization were ordered to report to the 
Second Division Hospital. In September the ambulance 
company was disbanded and the men sent to the division 
hospital. Steward Walter S. Lamon and Private Ed W. 
Dickenson were then detailed for duty at the medical sup- 
ply depot in the city of Jacksonville, the former to assume 
charge of the establishment under Maj. James E. Pilcher, 
and the latter to act as clerk. Private Dickenson was 
honorably discharged in August. Subsequently Private 
Walter L. Ewing, of the ambulance company, was sent 
here also for duty. 



404 HISTORY OF THE 

Owing to the efficiency and general worth of the men 
sent from the Fourth into the medical department, more 
promotions fell to these men than all other regimental 
hospital corps in the Seventh Army Corps combined. This 
evidently was not a matter of chance or accident, but 
shows the care with which the selections had been made in 
the organization and recruiting of the corps. 

Those of the privates to be made acting stewards after 
entrance into the regular service were: Acting Stewards 
A. C. Musgrave, Hans Gassman, Charles O. Burton, 
Raleigh M. Woolley, Charles E. Little, Allen P. Dibble 
and David Black. Promoted to lance acting stewards, a 
rank immediately below acting steward, were Harry Stites 
ank Hugo Goelitz. In other regiments the commanders of 
companies took advantage of the opportunities afforded in 
the call for men to recruit the medical department by 
unloading their objectionable soldiers into this branch of 
the service. This was not practiced among the Fourth's 
officers. In fact, the best men of each company were 
chosen for the work, and consequently reward in promotion 
was given them for the valuable and meritorious service 
rendered. 

While in Jacksonville, Maj. T. C. McCord was 
detailed as brigade surgeon, and won for himself no small 
amount of distinction, so well did he conduct the affairs 
pertaining to this responsible position. 

In November, 1898, after the regiment had moved to 
Savannah, Lieut. Charles M. Galbraith was ordered to 
report to the First Division hospital for duty, where he 
was placed in command of one of the companies. Upon 
several occasions, during the absence of Maj. John R. 
McDill, commander of the entire hospital, Lieutenant 
Galbraith acted in this capacity, always proving himself 
worthy of the trust bestowed upon him. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 4°5 

Before departure for Cuba it was decided by the chief 
surgeon of the army corps that each regiment should again 
have a small regimental hospital. They were to be a sort 
of a detention affair' to retain men until their ailments 
could be thoroughly diagnosed. By this time Major Mc- 
Cord, Lieutenant Hilgard and Stewart Mallonee had been 
returned to the regiment from the posts to which they had 
been detailed for special duty. 

To complete the regimental hospital company for 
service in Cuba, the following men were returned to the 
regiment from the first division hospital : Acting Steward 
Raleigh, M. Woolley, Privates Burge, Baker, Ira and Fred 
Huffman, Osborne, Ewing and Lowe. On departure for 
Cuba Steward Lamon was returned to the regiment. 

One month later Ewing and Lowe were discharged 
while in Cuba; but the others remained with the regiment 
until mustered out. The men who were left on duty at 
the division hospital were individually discharged soon after 
the regiment was let out of the United States service. 



MISS J. ENGELMANN. 

[A sacrifice to the scourge at Jacksonville, Florida.] 
Josephine Engelmann was born on her father's farm 
near Shiloh, Illinois, on the 16th of September, 1867. 

She received only the education which that district 
afforded. She lost her mother when she was only twelve 
years old, and being the oldest of three children that were 
left, and being of a serious turn of mind, she made the best 
of the opportunities afforded, and under the guidance of 
her excellent father, Col. Adolph Engelmann, and her 
genial and highly gifted aunt, Miss Josephine Engelmann, 
developed into a noble womanhood. Having grown up in 



406 



HISTORY OF THE 



a family who had cut loose from all dogmatic beliefs, Jose- 
phine's intense desire for the spiritual and high, the craving 
of her nature for reverence and devotion, induced her to 
join the Methodist church, of which she was a truej.and 
faithful adherent up to her death. 




MISS J. ENGELMANN. 

When Colonel Engelmann was called to Belleville as 
postmaster, she became the mother of the little household, 
and the faithful helpmate of her father. After some years 
death claimed her aunt and soon aft'er her father as his 
own. With the increase of her duties and responsibilities 
grew also Josephine's ardent wish and resolute determina- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 4°7 

tion to be the advisor and provider of her family, to be the 
means of developing her brother Otto, many years her 
junior, into that noble manhood of which the boy gave 
promise. Together they took care of a little farm, while 
Josephine added to their income by teaching school, first in 
the country and then at Belleville. Teaching was to her a 
religious act. She deeply felt the great responsibility rest- 
ing with a teacher, of guiding the souls of her charges to 
find and love the beautiful and good, and great was her joy 
in being rewarded by the appreciative interest of the children. 
She also, for many years, with great interest and devotion, 
taught Sunday school at Belleville and at Shiloh. Thus years 
had flown, in which, amid all the arduous duties devolving 
upon this young woman, she persistently and eagerly made use 
of every opportunity of improving her mind and broadening 
her sympathies and sought to provide ways and means for 
her sister and brother to do the same. 

When the war for the assistance of Cuban insurgents 
called our volunteers to arms, Josephine was thankful that 
duty prompted her young brother to stay with his orphaned 
sisters, although she was much in sympathy with this cause, 
thirsting ever to help the oppressed. But, when at the 
second call, Otto B. Engelmann felt it his duty to offer his 
services to the need of his country, she unflinchingly gave 
her approval. Her trembling heart had learned to place 
duty above its own desires. Otto Engelmann joined Com- 
pany D Fourth Regular Illinois Volunteers on the 16th of 
June, fitted out with all that the love and devotion of his 
sisters could do for their young hero-brother. 

With the eyes of love and solicitude every move of the 
regiment was watched, every line he wrote was weighed. 
When sickness began to strike down friends on all sides of 
the object of their solicitude, these girls lived between hope 
and despair, and when the news came that Otto was seri- 



408 HISTORY OF THE 

ously sick, Josephine hastened to his bedside, to tear him 
from the claws of death, as she thought. Her mission was 
successful; not only did Otto recover, but she was also the 
means of bringing solace to many a sad heart by her sym- 
pathetic words and deeds. 

But, alas, the dread disease had taken hold of her! 
Perhaps the anxiety and suffering had weakened her too 
much, or she had not paid sufficient attention to the ap- 
proach of the disease. She went to the hospital on the 
14th of October, and died on the 20th. Her body was sent 
home to be laid to rest in the family burial ground near 
Shiloh. The funeral was a touching tribute, paid by sev- 
eral hundred relatives and friends to this heroic girl, the 
true Christian, the noble woman. Could she have lived, 
the world would have been the better and happier for it; 
Josephine Engelmann's life would have been consecrated to 
the solacing and uplifting of humanity. Her noble exam- 
ple undoubtedly has inspired many a soul. Her influence 
and her memory live with us. 



REV. H. W. TOOD. 

Rev. H. W. Todd, of Vandalia, Illinois, was, upon 
the recommendation of the regimental commander, duly 
appointed Chaplain of the Fourth Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry April 15, 1898. Reverend Todd served the 
regiment for six months, and owing to failing health re- 
signed his position as Chaplain. Said resignation was ac- 
cepted and he was honorably discharged November 1, 1898. 

We regret that a more extended sketch could not be 
secured for this work. — J. R. S. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



409 




CAPT. H. W. TODD. 



CAPT. J. R. SKINNER 



REV. J. R. SKINNER. 

Born in Perry county, Ohio, December 25, 1846, his 
father dying before he reached the age of five years and the 
family breaking up two years later, he was thrown among 
strangers to struggle for himself. His early years were de- 
voted to farming, blacksmithing and day labor while his 
education was practically neglected. But desiring the gos- 
pel ministry, he was encouraged by a friend, Rev. S. B. 
Leiter, D.D., to enter school and begin his literary prepar- 
ations therefor. The counsel was accepted and Heidel- 
burg University, Tiffin, Ohio, was the institution chosen 
for that purpose, and after years and parts of years of hard 
study and economy, that at times amounted to sacrifice, in 
June, 1873. he entered upon his chosen profession at Win- 
imac. Indiana, near where, in 1876, he was united in mar- 
riage to Mary A. Good, who with their elder son entered 



4IO HISTORY OF THE 

the service of the United States, some months prior to his 
chaplaincy. He has served fields in Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, 
Kansas, Texas and Illinois, which latter state he has had 
the honor of representing in the chaplaincy of the Fourth 
Illinois Volunteers in their campaign as a part of the army 
of occupation in Cuba. As to efficiency and faithfulness 
in this capacity it is left for those intimate with his work 
to testify. 



J. UPTON EVERS. 

J. Uptan Evers, of New York City, now a representa- 
tive of the Army and Navy International Christian Com- 
mission, was born in Reading City, Pennsylvania. Owing 
to his father's ministerial profession he resided in various 
eastern cities during childhood. 

After graduating at the Academy and High school, 




J. U. EVERS. 

Mr. Evers studied law two years at Martinsburg, West 
Virginia, where he subsequently practiced in the magistrate 
courts. At the conclusion of his legal studies he entered 
Dickinson CoHege at Carlisle, Pensylvania. Subsequent 
to his collegiate course he accepted a position in a promi- 
nent law firm of Baltimore, Maryland, where he assumed 
charge of a legal department. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 4 1 I 

Being strongly convinced that he ought to prepare for 
the ministry, he entered Drew Theological Seminary. 
While pursuing his theological studies, he received license 
to preach and assisted the pastor of Cornell Memorial 
church in New York City, doing considerable missionary 
work in the densely populated districts of the city. 

When war was declared Mr. Evers' services were 
secured to represent Young Men's Christian Association 
work in various military camps. He labored at Camp 
Alger, Virginia, Camp Meade, Pensylvania, and Camp 
Wetherell, South Carolina, after which he went to Camp 
Columbia, Cuba. 

Prior to camp work in the south, Mr. Evers was called 
to a pastorate in Hoboken, New Jersey, but upon realizing 
the urgent need of Christian work among the soldiers, re- 
signed his charge, notwithstanding his congregation would 
not willingly consent to his resignation. 

On the 6th of February, 1899, Mr. Evers arrived in 
Cuba, and began Y. M. C. A. work in the Fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Regiment, and the First Division Hospital at 
Buena Vista. About one hundred men of the Fourth Illi- 
nois Regiment were converted through the efforts of the Y. 
M. C. A. and the able co-operation of the chaplain, J. R. 
Skinner. 

When the volunteer regiments were ordered home, Mr. 
Evers remained in Cuba to assist in permanently organiz- 
ing Y. M. C. A. work throughout the island. 



CHAPLAINCY. 



The chaplaincy of this regiment dates back to a 
period much earlier than its call to the service of the 
United States. Reverend McNutt, of Effingham, 111., hav- 



412 ' HISTORY OF THE 

ing resigned shortly before the call of our country, Rever- 
end H. W. Todd, of Vandalia, was chosen and commis- 
sioned as his successor, continuing in the position some six 
months, when he resigned to return home. To fill or 
occupy the vacancy thus occasioned, Col. Casimer Andel 
detailed Sergt. R. W. Ropiquet, a young attorney in Com- 
pany D, who held the position until he received his dis- 
charge later in the fall. The position continued vacant 
until December 8, when Reverend John R. Skinner, of 
Areola, 111., was commissioned, reporting for duty the 22d 
of the same month. 

On taking up the work that devolved upon us in the 
regiment, we found a large field for usefulness, but limited 
facilities as helps in the accomplishment of the work that 
needed so much to be done. But as the regiment was ex- 
pected to take its departure for Cuba in a few days, it was 
not thought wise to attempt any preparations at Camp 
Onward for holding religious meetings. Neither was it 
thought prudent to hold service on the one Sabbath which 
we were permitted to spend with them in this camp, as we 
could scarcely keep warm around our little stoves in the 
tents. Yet the work to be done in Cuba must be prepared 
for, and accordingly Mr. A. E. Moody, of the Army and 
Navy Department of the Young Men's Christian Associa- 
tion, who has charge of their work in the Seventh Army 
Corps, was sought out at his headquarters in the city, and 
negotiations for one of their tents was entered into with 
him at once. And while nothing definite could be reached, 
yet there were sufficient gleams of success to encourage us 
to the pressing of our request after reaching Cuba. Ac- 
cordingly, after about two weeks of hard work in getting 
his business and materials out of the almost limitless tangle 
into which the transportation with regimental goods had 
brought them, Mr. Moody informed us that the way 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 413 

seemed clear to furnish us a tent, secretary, and all neces- 
sary equipments for the use of our regiment. Every effort 
was made to hasten this bright outlook into a pleasant 
reality, but to our disappointment it was one of those con- 
ditions of things that move slowly and cannot be crowded. 
But during this time our first Sabbath on the island had 
dawned upon us after a night of almost incessant rain and 
windstorm, which demoralized many of the tents that were 
up, producing a very unpleasant condition under foot, 
besides the work of moving goods from the city to camp 
and the pitching of tents made it wholly impracticable to call 
the men together at the hour for service. The Sabbath 
following dawned upon us brightly, and at service call, 9 
in the morning, the band with a couple of pieces of well- 
chosen music, called a goodly number of the bdys about us 
in front of the guard tent, where it was our first privilege 
to address an army of men on the great question of their 
duties and responsibilities in reference to their relation to 
God and their fellowmen, a privilege we certainly enjoyed. 
But the day that bade so well in its beginning, was 
made sad to us 'ere the noontide was reached by the 
drowning of one of Company K's men while bathing in the 
beautiful clear stream a short distance from camp. On 
the following Sabbath, the hour for service was so fully 
occupied by the departure of the Third Battalion on a seven 
days' outing and march, as to prevent our holding any ser- 
vice, and the next Sabbath we were doomed to a similar 
experience by the return of this battalion at the hour of 
church. But, being hindered at home, we assisted Chaplain 
Given, of the Sixth Missouri, one of God's noble, devoted 
men, while on the evening of this Sabbath we preached to 
the nurses of the Second Division hospital in their mess 
tent. During the last week in January we succeeded in 
securing from the Young Men's Christian Association mana- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 415 

ger in the corps, a good tent forty by sixty feet, and 
brought it on the ground, but we were still doomed to dis- 
appointment, for at every move we found a shortage, in 
rops, poles, pegs, tackles and lumber, while the rains that 
intervened delayed the setting up of our tabernacle until 
the second week in January, when a band of volunteers 
from the regiment cheerfully gave us their assistance, and 
for the first time in its history, the canvas of a gospel tent 
was spread to the breeze, in the camp of the Fourth Illinois 
Volunteers. 

Through the efforts of Mr. Mitchell, an efficient secre- 
tary of the Army Young Men's Christian Association, and 
the aid of several of the boys from the regiment, we suc- 
ceeded in getting it seated and some conveniences for writ- 
ing in place. And on Sabbath, February 12th, at 9 o'clock 
in the morning, we had our first service in the tent, fol- 
lowed by another at 7 in the evening, both of which were 
largely attended, encouraging our hearts for the future. 
But scarcely had we reached our humble tent homes when 
a strong wind from the sea began to rush in upon us, 
attended by a heavy downpour of rain that betokened 
disaster to our frail abodes. For early in the evening nature 
had begun to muster her cloud host, and continued it until 
the last star which had thrown its flickering rays out through 
the broken ranks, was hid back of its threatening panoply, 
while the bright sheen of the distant heavens seemed 
to be crouching away into hiding, before the threatening 
array. Along with this marshaling of the dark cloud host 
came the low but ever increasing murmur of the waves as 
they moved out farther and farther on the rock-clad beach, 
until what had been to us a murmur reached a crash and 
roar of contending armies as the wind whipped the gently 
rolling waves into maddened billows that rolled far out and 
broke upon the shore, scattering into mist and foam, to be 



4l6 HISTORY OF THE 

carried by the furious storm and dropped like rain on the 
brush covered flats that border the ocean at this point. 

The storm continued to increase and in a short time 
the moistened earth enabled the gale to draw the guy pegs, 
and our gospel tent was hurled- to the ground, demolish- 
ing lamps and seriously damaging the organ, while at the 
same time it gave the secretary a kindly warning by land- 
ing one of the center poles within a few inches of his tent, 
in which he was seeking rest. 

But soldiers learn to make the best of conditions and 
therefore nothing daunted, preparations were begun to set 
it up again as soon as the gale, which continued through 
Monday and Tuesday, had subsided, and by Friday all was 
put in condition for use again, and on that evening another 
service was held, conducted by Secretary Mitchell, who 
was preparing to turn his work over to J. Upton Evers, 
prior to taking leave for his home in the States. In 
Brother Evers we found a true Christian young man who 
earnestly devoted himself not only to the work directly 
connected with the gospel tent, but also in visiting the 
hospital, carrying to the sick stationary, books, periodicals 
and good cheer, as well also in his private earnest appeals 
to the boys. At the tent and elsewhere he impressed upon 
them the importance of leading a godly life. 

And it is but just we should mention that after con- 
siderable effort and delay, William Newton, of company H, 
was detailed as assistent secretary, who with Brother Evers, 
rendered efficient and faithful service during our stay at 
Camp Columbia. Contrary to our earnest expectations 
no services could be held on the 19th of February, on 
account of an order having been issued, ordering the regi- 
ment to start on a ten days march and outing on that date. 
Accordingly everything was astir Sunday morning and 
about 9:00 o'clock the regiment marched out of camp led 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 417 

by the band, followed by the Ninth Illinois and Second 
South Carolinia, the other two regiments of the brigade, 
started on their march to the city of Guines, which is 
located forty-nine kilometers south-east of Havana, and 
distant from our camp about thirty-five miles. Not desir- 
ing to attend the regiment on Sabbath morning, we secured' 
permission to follow later. Accordingly we started in pursuit 
on Tuesday at 5:00 in the morning, having spent Monday 
hunting their trail, coming up to them at 4:00 in the even- 
ing, just as they were going into camp, which we will call' 
Camp Swift, about one mile beyond Guines. We remained' 
with the regiment until Saturday at 9:00 in the morning 
when we left them in camp at the mountain pass twenty- five 
kilometers from Havana, and came back to our own sun- 
burned, storm-stained canvas house in the midst of an 
almost deserted quiet camp. The regiment not returning 
until Monday our gospel tent stood idle two Sabbaths. 
But on the 1st of March we had our first mid-week meet- 
ing with good attendance, and on the following Sabbath, 
we began a series of meetings, having the help of Chaplain 
Stringfellow of the Fourth Virginia, Chaplain Biederwolf of 
the One Hundred Sixty-first Indiana, and Chaplain Given 
of the Sixth Missouri during the week. Pay day coming 
unexpectedly on Saturday, so broke in upon the conditions 
in camp as to make it unadvisable to hold service on that 
evening. But on the day following at 9:00 in the morning 
we organized our bible class and had preaching service 
immediately afterwards, while in the evening Mr. Evens 
gave us a good practical talk. Up to this time, twenty- 
five soldiers had signed the following declaration and 
handed them to the secretary. "I hereby declare my 
acceptance of the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior 
and my purpose by God's help to live a Christian life." 

27 



41 8 HISTORY OF THE 



Name 



Company and Regiment- 
Home address 



Our band gave a concert in the tent one evening each 
week, besides we had a most thrilling lecture by Chaplain* 
Stringfellow on his experience as captain or chief of scouts 
in the confederate army, also one by Chaplain Bolton, of 
the Second Illinois, on "Something to shoot and how to 
shoot it;" which was a fine illustration of the scholarly 
ability and oratorical power of one of Wisconsin's ablest M. 
E. preachers. 

Through the influence of General Secretary A. E. 
Moody, of the island Y. M. C. A. work, it was our excep- 
tional good fortune to have with us one evening the gifted 
and eloquent Rev. Sam Small, who gave us one of his 
thrilling characteristic lectures, touching upon many phases 
of life as seen not only in the army, but as well in the civil, 
political and social relations of America. Y. M. C. A. 
Evanglist Smith, of Chicago, was with us several nights 
during our last week in Cuba, and gave us on each occasion 
a sermon full of gospel meat, and rich in counsel and ad- 
vice to men. It was his privilege to hold the closing serv- 
ice on the night before our departure. Nor would we neg- 
lect to refer, and that with pleasure, to the efficient and 
effective aid rendered in our behalf by Sec. A. E. Moody, 
through whom we were enabled to have our gospel tent and 
its valuble supplies, as well also his talks on themes fitting 
so well the needs of our regiment. While it may seem im- 
proper to refer to our disappointments, yet the fact of our 
hasty breaking of camp deprived us of the anticipated pleas- 
ure of listening to Reverend Clark, Father of the Chris- 
tian Endeavor movement, who was booked to address us in 
the gospel tent on the evening of the day we began our 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 419 

march toward the home land. We feel called upon to give 
it at least a passing mention. What the result of these 
efforts will be, as weighed and measured for eternity, can- 
not be estimated by finite minds, yet it is the hope and 
earnest prayer of those who have wrought therein, that 
many of the men who enjoyed these rich privileges in the 
closing days of their army life, will so profit by them in the 
moulding of their lives as civilians, and the consecrating of 
their hearts to God in Christ, as to realize the wonderful 
cleansing of his precious blood, and a title to the kingdom 
of heaven. Our regiment having been made up from so 
large a portion of our state and even beyond its bor- 
ders, necessarily gathered in from the "good, bad and 
indifferent," morally; yet not more striking in this respect 
than those with which it was thrown, in the corps organiza- 
tion. Yet judging from the facts apparent on the sur- 
face, the family having the largest representation in our 
organization, being found in every company, was the popular 
" crap " family. Nor were they enlisted men only, but even 
in the corral and cook shack, and some of very sombre hue, 
this family can claim as its membership. Besides not a few 
have gotten well up the line under shoulder straps. But in 
the main they can be said to be a pretty fair sort of people, 
measuring up to the highest average of social life in that 
section of the state from which they came, and to the strata 
of society to which the various grades and hues of color 
belong. Still it is with pain of heart we feel called upon 
as a chronicler of the truth to refer to the fact of the de- 
moralizing prevalence of profanity and other forms of sin 
that became notorious; and often under the erroneous idea 
that almost any sin was condonned by being a soldier. Still 
there were grand and noble exceptions in all these grada- 
tions, of true men, who like the sturdy oak or enduring 
granite withstood this storm and rushing torrent of sin and 



420 HISTORY OF THE 

degredation, maintaining an equilibrium of manly character 
worthy of record. 

With song service and expository talks on portions of 
scripture, we endeavored to give the boys of the Fourth and 
the First Division Hospital Corp during our stay in Cuba 
that which we trust will prove a blessing as well as a pleas- 
ure to them, and be looked back upon by them as a bright 
oasis in their army experiences. That the boys appreciated 
the gospel tent with its supply of books, tracts, papers, 
writing material and innocent games, was proven by the 
large crowds that commonly filled all the large tables dur- 
ing the hours of the day when not on duty in the camp or 
on the drill ground, and as an evidence of the amount of 
writing done there, ten thousand sheets of paper and a cor- 
responding number of envelopes would supply the demand 
only about two or three weeks, showing also the expense 
connected with this excellent branch of Christian work. 



ADENDA. 



In presenting a few miscellaneous illustrations, in- 
directly connected with the history of this regiment, it may 
be well also to give a brief description of them and their 
surroundings, that the reader may get a clearer idea con- 
cerning their beauty and utility, or their opposite. 

We will first ask the reader to go with us into the land 
so recently brought under the control of the United States 
as the scenes of this strange land will doubtless be of much 
interest. 

Much that we have heard about the great Cuban army 
dims into a shadow when we confront the real, as we 
meet it in its own land and measure it by what we see. We 
present herewith a picture of a few of these brave warriors 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



421 




- 






SPECIMENS OF THE CUBAN ARMY, 



in one of their "posts," viz.: the porch of a wayside resi- 
dence and grocery. The general appearance and equip- 
ment is not such as to strike terror home to the heart of an 
American soldier. They ordinarly lack that manly bearing 
on duty, so characteristic of the more highly enlightened 
'races. 

In connection with this we insert a cut representing 
one and a portion of two others of a row of seventeen 
tents occupied by the warriors of the isle. Rude and 
simple in their construction, being built with a few posts 
set in the ground and ridge or roof poles placed thereon, 
and over these the long fern like leaves of the royal palm 
are placed, with points to the eves, sufficiently thick to turn 
the rains. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



423 



In connection with these the sheath of these same 
leaves, that surround the body of the tree, are spread out, 
making a large surface, often from eight to twelve feet. 
These, like the leaves, are used both for roofing and weath- 
er-boarding. The simplicity of this construction does away 
with the expense of nails, as thongs made from the inner 
bark of these sheathes are used to tie them in their places. 
The Cuban soldier in one sense is quite an inexpensive 
luxury. 

In contrast with these one meets on almost every hill 
top in proximity with Havana, the famous barbed wire 




BARB WIRE DEFENSE. 



barricade, used by our Spanish neighbors as an outer de- 
fense of their fort, against this formidable Cuban army. 
While our illustration is a good one it cannot reveal the 



424 HISTORY OF THE 

real strength of these barricades. They are often ten to 
twenty feet wide and so thickly woven and interwoven as 
to make an American soldier prefer a stone wall or earth 
works, if he is to do the storming of the enemy that lurks 
behind. 

The posts to which these wires are fastened are so 
arranged that but few of the many wires, have a run of 
more than two or three feet, while to go through, one 
would have to cut from i 50 to 200 of these twisted barbed 
strands in two places, which would be more than a few 
minutes job, and while he was working away, deliberately 
or otherwise, the fellow inside would have a fine mark on 
which to train his trusty rifle. If he were asleep or whiling 
away the time at a game of cards, and the click of wire 
cutters did not attract his attention, the strong hold might 
be taken with only the loss of blood that flowed from 
scratched hands. But that was not Uncle Sam's way of 
doing things. 

He kept at a respectable distance and dropped a few 
shells just beyond the wire fence, until the other fellow 
evacuated and then went in through the gate, and saved 
the barbed wire for the free Cuban to fence his farm. 

All through the interior of the island at every turn in the 
road, and if these were too far apart, built in the road and 
on commanding hills, the eye catches the familiar block- 
house, another of the time-worn Spanish defenses. 

We here show a very good cut of one of these. In their 
day good protectors against rifle bullets, but in this day of 
improved guns our bullets would only get well heated in 
passing through one of these, for searing the hole it would 
make through the body of its victim, lying concealed be- 
hind these walls of brick. Sometimes they are con- 
structed of stone, and we have seen them in the interior, of 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



425 




BLOCK HOUSE. 

frame weatherboarded with the shell or outer surface of 
the royal palm, sheathed with the same on the inside, and 
filled between the studings with dirt and small stones. 
These were built in various shapes, yet easily distinguished 
from other buildings by th* port holes so in evidence. 



Along with these properly come the people of this, to 
us, strange country, with some of their time-honored cus- 
toms. It is truly a mixed race, with perhaps the race line 
distinction a little less sharply drawn than in our own land, 
yet a people, who, under ordinary circumstances, are con- 
tented and happy, with no little degree of the climatic de- 
sire for rest, ever nagging at them. Many of their customs 
and ideas are of an antiquated type, or rather they still live 
in the centuries of the past. Hence, with one of the most 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



427 




A CUBAN PLOWING. 

beautiful lands, and on which nature has bestowed with a 
lavish hand, we meet with the old wooden plow of the type 
used in the age of Moses, with a few slight improvements, 
while the faithful ox, who has caught the rest fever also, 
is persuaded on in his task with the goad as of yore. Still 
in spite of these antiquated tools and methods, nature pro- 
duces in rich abundance. 



The tandem teams are at first a strange sight to the 
American, but, like all the odities in this land, one with 
which he soon becomes familiar. From two to eight mules 
or ponies, weighing from five to eight hundred pounds, are 
one of the common sights on the fine military roads; while 
the immense carts, weighing often much more than our 



428 



HISTORY OF THE 




TANDEM TEAM ON MILITARY ROAD. 




GEORGIA OX CART. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



429 



common wagons, and the correspondingly large loads, are 
in great contrast with the teams. 

One chief reason for the two wheeled vehicles being so 
commonly used here is, the system of taxing vehicles per 
wheel, and another is the greater ease with which the team 
can draw the same amount of weight than when on a four 
wheeled vehicle. But we need not go beyond the borders 
of our own fair land to see conditions and things of the 
antiquated type as our picture of an ox cart reveals, and 
which is not an uncommon sight in that section of Georgia 
where our camps were located. 

In striking contrast with the fine mansions with their 
open courts and gardens, filled with nature's richest bloom 
and tinted foliage, is that of the residences of the lower 



m 




S-&8&: 




THATCHED HUT. 



43o 



HISTORY OF THE 



class in the country and oft in the suburbs of the cities, 
which is only a thatched hut. The one here pictured to 
the reader is a good specimen, and stood on the border of 
Camp Columbia. Over the common pole frame, made by 
tying one pole to another, the long palm leaves are tied to 
constitute a roof, while the leaf sheath is spread out and 
tied to the wall frame perpendicularly for siding. 

These abodes form the homes, very often, for more 
than the family, for dogs, pigs, fowls, fleas and, well, the 
so forth, all abide under the same roof. 

Just across the road from this hut, and hard by one of 
the Spanish fortifications, seen in the background, stood 




HANGMAN S TREE. 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 43 I 

one of the peculiar tress of this island, and which had ac- 
quired the title of hangman's tree, from the fact, as we 
were told, that on its projecting limb some seventy- five or 
eighty persons had been hung during the wars of Spain 
and Cuba. 

As to the truth or falsity of the statement we do not 
vouch, but it gave to this tree a notoriety that cost it its 
life, and removal from its long occupied place. Little by 
little had the soldier's knife, saw, hatchet and other tools 
cut away small pieces, until it was near the point of fall- 
ing, when one evening about 10 o'clock, just before the 
Seventh Army Corps broke camp for the home trip, the 
moon not failing nature in her-brightest robes, a lieutenant 
and the writer returning from a ride up the beach, came 
by just as a little group of bluecoats assembled to look very 
closely at the deep scar in its trunk, — that is all they were 
doing as we passed, and not a tool for cutting was in sight, 
but lo the next morning saw only the haggled top of a 
stump to perpetuate the shame of that spot. 

But more and larger souvenirs of the hangman's tree 
were on exhibition in certain parts of the corps in a day or 
two, than ever before. 

Something of the governmental preparation to meet 
all the necessary demands that fall upon it in supplying the 
Army of Occupation in Cuba, may be gathered from a mini- 
ature view of her immense quartermasters store house, 
located at Quemados, within the bounds of Camp Colum- 
bia. 

While the waiting wagon train indicates something of 
the demands that were made upon this, one of the most 
important, laborious and difficult branches of work con- 
nected with the army. 



432 



HISTORY OF THE 




QUARTERMASTER S STORE HOUSE, QUEMADOS. 

Among the revered landmarks of the city of Havana 
is that of "The Cathedral," a view of the interior of which 
is here given, and which needs but little description. At 
the bottom left hand corner a portion of "the tomb of Co- 
lumbus," the corner from which the marble slabs that 
form the slanting wall, were removed to gain access to the 
remains of the once dishonored discoverer, and from which 
it is generally believed his dust was taken lest it be dishon- 
ored by the " uncultured Americans." 

We never saw anyone but monks or priests at worship 
in this sacred place, which was open every afternoon. 



Passing just beyond the northwest limit of the city we 
came to the Cristobol Colon cemetery, one of the most 



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NTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL. 



434 HISTORY OF THE 

beautiful and at the same time loathsome burial places of 
the world. Its gateway, monuments, tombs, catacombs, 
and public buildings, are certainly not often excelled. The 
monument erected to the memory of the firemen who lost 
their lives in a heroic struggle against the flames that 
threatened the city some years since, is said to be one of 
three that stand as competitors for rank as the grandest in 
the world. 

But while one-half of this large enclosure charms you 
with its beauty and richness, the other half is equally 
loathsome. 

In the northwest corner of the main ground, which is 
enclosed by a high, strong stone wall, is found another 
wall, less defiant, yet some 8 feet high, and ioo by 130 
feet square, with its enclosure excavated in the limestone 
rock 35 feet deep, and which is filled to a little above the 
level of the surface with the bleached bones of human 
beings. This is the "human boneyard " of an inhuman 
people. We here give a cut of it — one of the most shock- 
ing scenes in this lovely land. 

The dimensions of this awful tomb we cannot vouch 
for, but received them from one who claimed to have got- 
ten the facts. But as to the millions of skeletons said to 
rest (i. e. , until bluecoats began to seek for skulls, cross 
bones, teeth, etc., to carry home as mementos) in this 
vast grave are so great that we do not venture to repeat it 
as a fact. 

But hard to believe as this is to some, still more shock- 
ing is what leads to the filling of this pit with human bones, 
viz. : That of the burial tax which the ruling church power 
of that island has been collecting for years. The sum ex- 
acted is so great that only a portion of the poor can meet 
it, and that only for a few, perhaps five years, the shortest 
period, we are told, for which it is collected. 




SB 






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ifc. 







436 HISTORY OF THE 

Such are ordinarily placed in the grave in an almost 
nude state and lime thrown on the body and covered a few 
inches deep with dirt, and at the expiration of the tax 
period the bleached bones are exhumed and borne in bas- 
kets to the " bone-yard." Sometimes it happens that these 
large, double-decked, poor man's hearses, containing two 
trays to the deck, come in with four occupants, and the 
trays are taken out one at a time, laid at the edge of the 
grave, and then turned over, dumping its contents into the 
grave; the liming is attended to and another treated in the 
same way, until, as we have been told by eye witnesses, 
ten bodies had been thus roughly dumped into one grave, 
when a thin covering of dirt was thrown upon them. 

But another, we suppose poorer class, are hauled 
directly to a kind of morgue at the center of the south wall 
of the cemetery, where the bodies are placed on tables and 
subjected to a process of liming which soon prepares the 
bones for bleaching in the common grave of the poor. In 
the less pretentious burial grounds of this land,- all of which 
are strongly walled, the bones are usually thrown in a pile 
in one corner, and the writer has seen various bones of the 
human body that the dogs or buzzards had carried into the 
road beyond the rocked enclosure. But the time of this 
uncivilized, unchristian practice we believe is past. 

Before our departure from this lovely land, the United 
States authorities had required the covering of the "bone 
yard " with earth, as a sanitary measure. 

Thus, while the rich man's body is borne away in all 
the splendor of liveried coachmen, with their gorgeously 
decked "four-in-hand," and costly gilded hearse, to his 
last resting place on which a perpetual tax is arranged for, 
his neighbor is treated little if any better than the domestic 
animals of our country. 

It was in the better part of this noted cemetery that, on 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 437 

the 17th day of February, 1898, nineteen bodies of the brave 
men who died in their quarters in the ill-fated Maine, were 
interred; and later others were laid by their side until more 
than fifty bodies of those noble seamen had found their last 
resting place in the soil of this sacred enclosure, where 
only a simple cross bearing these words, "Victims of the 
Maine," mark their last resting place. 

As this is in so great contrast with the gorgeous sur- 
roundings, already a movement is on foot to erect a suit- 
able monument in place of the wooden one that now 
points the American to the spot, most dear to him of all he 
here looks upon. 

In passing from these scenes of this newly conquered 
Spanish province, we wish to call attention to an aged 
burying place of our own land, and one indirectly connected 
with the history of this as well as other regiments of the 
Seventh Army Corps. 

It is "Bonaventure," which is located a short distance 
from the city limits of Savannah, Ga. This is one of the 
oldest and most noted burial places in the United States, 
and at the same time one connected by very important 
links with the early history of the " Sunny South." 

We perhaps cannot do better in describing this beau- 
tiful and historic place than to insert, by permission, a 
short extract from the "History of the 161st Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry," in which Chaplain Biederwolf says: 
" Bonaventure is said to be one of the most beautiful 
cemeteries in America, and the history and romance con- 
nected with it makes it doubly interesting; the estate, first 
owned in colonial times by an English nobleman, was 
sold to John Mulryn, whose only daughter was given in 
marriage to Josiah Tatnall and the union was typified by 
planting those now aged and hoary live oaks in a mono- 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



439 




BONAVENTURE CEMETERY. 



gram, comprising the letters 'M' and 'T' still trace- 
able in the shape of the sylvan aisles between the stately 
trees. Josiah Tatnell was a great soldier, serving in the 
wars of 1812 and of 1846, and was commander of the 
Merrimac in its battle with the Monitor. 

" He became governor of Georgia, and lies buried to- 
day in Bonaventure. near the spot of his birth. The place 
is full of sacred associations and its gigantic trees, hung 
with their long heavy moss tresses, seem to speak of 
mourning and weeping. " 

The cut we give but tamely represents the scene as 
viewed in its real beauty. The long bunches of gray moss 
that hang from almost every bough, like the tresses of some 



44° HISTORY OF THE 

fair lady gracefully floating under the sway of the gentle 
evening zephyr, must be seen to be appreciated. 

Passing from these scenes in the home of the dead it 
will be a relief to look upon and contemplate something 
closely identified with life and its sweetest pleasures. The 
city of Havana, though beautifully situated, and charm- 
ing in its surroundings, yet was seriously marred as a place 
to live on account of the scant supply of pure water. And 
while Cuba has an abundance of this article, and of the 
finest quality, its unequal distribution leaves maoy charm- 
ing localities destitute, save the streams that flow through 
the crevices of the rock far below the surface. 

To meet the needs of Havana city, the idea was con- 
ceived of conveying water into it through aqueducts from 
the limpid streams in the country. After several partially 
successful attempts, the present system, or aqueducts of 
the Vento, was begun as recent as 1859, with a view of se- 
curing an ample supply from the inexhaustible Vento spring, 
one of the many fountains of this country that sends out a 
small river from its mouth. Vento spring is some eight 
miles south of the city, near the hills, and on the very 
margin of the clear, rapid flowing Almandares river, and 
yet sufficiently elevated above the sea to need only the 
force of gravitation to carry it through the immense arti- 
ficial channel that ascends the little hills and descends into 
the plains, always just below the surface of the long stretch 
of country, that lies between the fountain and the city. 

Though the present appliance has cost the magnificent 
sum of over three millions of dollars, it is far from being 
completed according to original plans, but has been con- 
nected with the aqueduct of Ferdinand II, proving itself 
adequate to the demands of the city, and even more. For 
the United States government tapped this stream at the 



44 2 HISTORY OF THE 

reservoir, a mile south of the city, and by means of large 
water pipes conveyed a sufficient quantity of this pure lim- 
pid flow a distance of some five miles, to supply the entire 
demand of the Seventh Army Corps. Not having sufficient 
pressure for flushing purposes, after its long run through a 
cramped artificial channel, an immense tank 22 x 24 feet 
was erected on a frame work, thirty feet high, at the head- 
quarters of our regiment, the fate of which is referred to on 
page 329. The added pressure from the tank erected in its 
place sends the water with great force to the remotest por- 
tions of the camp, and flushes the sewer pipes, which enter 
the sea some four miles distant. To attempt an ade- 
quate description of this wonderful spring would consume 
too much space; suffice to say that the spring rises through 
an opening in the bottom of a large deep basin, constructed 
of masonry, as seen in the accompanying cut. From this 
the water enters the aqueduct, which is constructed of brick 
and cement, over which at regular intervals of about two 
hundred yards are erected small houses from six to ten feet 
square, inside of which are man holes opening into the aqu- 
duct for purposes of repairing damages that mi^ht accrue 
to the aqueduct, with the least possible delay. It may be 
said that these houses or towers are kept securely locked 
and often inspected. Rumor had it that General Lee's 
plan of capturing the city of Havana was, to get back of it 
and cut off the water supply from this spring, and thus 
force their surrender. As to the truth of this plan we are 
not prepared to say, not having consulted the" General 
about it, as we suppose the originators of the rumor did not 
either. But don't think for a moment the forces of Spain 
were asleep to the importance of this point. 

Our foot ball team needs no introduction or elaborate 
" write up," as the manly appearance of its men tell of its 



444 



HISTORY OF THE 



fitness to achieve honor in its line. We number and name 
them for easy recognition by their friends, i Sergt. R. 
H. Barton, Company C; 2 Corp. O. P. Louden, Company 
C; 3 Corp. Fred H. Hays, Company M; 4 Bert Railsback, 
Company M; 5 Musician W. T. Mather, Company L; 6 
W. O. Wallace, Company D; 7 C. L. Golden, Company 
M; 8 Corp. W. McKnight; 9 Roy Harris, Company M; 10 
L. C. Baker, Company M; 11 Corp. O. Kaufman, Com- 



pany L 
pany L 
pany L 



12 F. Cady, Company M; 13 J. Eckenrode, Com- 
14 J. Kaser, Company L; 15 H. Balding, Com- 
16 Lieut T. F. Louden, Company C; 17 C. Har- 



mon, Company L; 18 H. Bundy, Company M. 




A GRAYBACK. 

While perhaps there are but few who have not heard 
of that pestiferous little tickler, the " grayback," yet doubt- 
less the multitude have never seen him. Therefore, we 
have thought it proper, since we cannot introduce him in 
person to the reader, never having had the pleasure of 
looking upon him ourselves, to do the next best thing to it, 
viz: to present to you a picture of his grayback-ship. And 
if you are blest with a strong imaginative faculty, you will 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 445 

be able to discern the familliar letters U. S. that you have 
so often heard spoken of, clearly outlined on his back, even 
though he may be of the Cuban species. 

While this cut is very much enlarged, yet doubtless it 
does not present him any larger than you would suppose 
him to be, if he were engaged in a flank movement, or 
making some strategtic turn in order to appropriate a por- 
tion of the vital fluids of your system, or perhaps on a 
double time movement seeking out a safe retreat from a 
pursuing finger, in some near by seam of your trousers. 

We are indebted to private Hallie Brown, of Montcello, 
Indiana, an ex-member of Company I, One Hundred Sixty- 
first Indiana Volunteers, who made the pen drawing, from 
a photograph of his verminship, from which this etching 
was produced; also to his father, E. R. Brown, for the 
privilege to use it in this volume. If any soldier fails to 
recognize this his camp friend, it certainly will be because 
he is a " tender foot " or novice in army camp life, or be- 
cause the enlarged condition of his " bugship " brings out 
strongly so many of his commonly unseen delicate features, 
as to conceal his identity. "But it's his bugship just the 
same." 

As "variety is the spice of life," we deem it prudent 
to add a little to this volume by sandwiching an address 
delivered at Vandalia on the occasion of the reception of 
Company I, on its return from Cuba, by comrade George 
Cheney, a private in that company. 

ADDRESS. 

Mr. Chairman, Ladies, Gentlemen and Friends: 

A darkey preacher once visited a conference of his Meth- 
odist white brethren. As the sole representative of his race 
present, he was called upon for an address. He arose and 



446 HISTORY OF THE 

said: "My dear brethren, I feel very much like a huckle- 
berry in a bowl of milk." I opine that my present feel- 
ings are very similar to those of the colored orator. 

Nevertheless, it gives me great pleasure to express to 
you the sincere appreciation and deep gratitude which we 
feel for this sumptuous banquet and hospitable reception 
which you have accorded us. But mere words cannot ex- 
press the depth and intensity of the emotions which agitate 
our hearts on this occasion of our reunion with families, 
friends and neighbors. Far more eloquent and expressive 
than mere words is the joy that beams from the eye, and 
the gratitude that trembles in the voice. 

Yet the feelings of joy and happiness are not un- 
mingled with those of sadness and sorrow, for we are not 
all here. Hall, Ryan, Smith, McLaren, — our eyes seek 
for them in vain. They have crossed the stream of silvery 
sheen, and pitched their tents on the further bank of the 
River of Life. They have joined the band of immortal 
patriots on the other shore and wait and beckon for those 
who survive. 

Citizens of Vandalia, one year has flown to the dim 
regions of eternity since our nation stood -on the verge of 
a great international struggle. The ominous muttenngs 
of an approaching storm were heard and the dark waters 
and thick clouds of war had obscured the heavenly light of 
peace. The angry lightning of public indignation painted 
the war cloud a lurid hue and the angry voice of public 
protest rolled along the national horizon in thunder peals. 
All felt that a struggle was inevitable. The spirit voices 
calling from the dark waters of Havana harbor, the prayers 
of the widows, and the cries of the orphans had ascended 
to the judgment seat of a long suffering God, who ordained 
that a nation whose beacon light was liberty, fraternity, 
equality, whose might was equal to its will, whose mercy 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 447 

was equal to its wrath, whose judgment was sure and 
whose vengence was swift, should deliver the beautiful cap- 
tive from the cruel hand of the tyrant robber and assassin. 

A short but terrible struggle was anticipated. Many 
prophesied that our peerless navy would be swept from the 
sea; that our inexperienced regulars and untrained volun- 
teers would meet swift defeat. We deceived ourselves 
miserably. But with these forebodings in their mind, the 
sons of freedom, true to their teachings and inheritance, 
rallied to the battle cry of freedom, offering their lives on 
the altar of patriotism, a cheerful sacrifice for the defense 
of an oppressed and struggling people and of the honor of 
their country. 

Obedient to the summons of the alarm bells of war, 
the boys of Company I, with rifles glinting in the sunlight, 
marched proudly away to the noise of drum and cymbal, 
fife and trumpet, with visions of the awful grandeur of war 
floating before their excited imagination, and now having 
done all that opportunity permitted, they have returned 
with the blossoms of spring — a badly disappointed, a sad- 
der and a wiser set — the "bottle" scarred veterans and 
heroes of two hundred and fifty dress parades and twenty- 
five reviews. 

Not long had we been from home before we learned 
the truth of Sherman's aphorism. It wasn't all music and 
hallelujah, hip and hurrah boys, well wishes and God 
speed you's, chicken sandwiches, pies and cakes from home, 
dress parade, reviews and marches before cheering thous- 
ands and pretty girls with tears in their eyes. 

It was a deal of mud and dirt, weary hips, monoto- 
nous drills, rice that rattled as it went down, beef that 
looked as though it wanted to hook into the gravy in which 
you couldn't stick a fork, and to which the boys used to 
say: 



448 HISTORY OF THE 

Oh, steer ! oh, steer ! why are you here ? 
You've served long years of toil and abuse, 
And now you're here for the poor soldiers' use. 

Hard skirmishes with live hardtack 'til Tom Curry, 
much averse to anything like labor, told us to break the 
tack in two, find which .way they were going, then put 
their heads together and let 'em push. Painful meetings 
with old friends in the form of canned beef, so-called, of 
Alger fame. We wept as we paused irresolute and con- 
templated the tragic trick of old Mike or Tom. Uncle 
Sam: We'll never forgive thee, giving us our old family 
" hoss " to eat. 

We also learned what it meant to be the first man 
with two in a bed and three in the middle. 

Despite the hardships of the first days in a military 
camp we were devoted to our duties and tried hard to 
become strictly military. Some mighty queer tactics were 
executed in the verdant days of our apprenticeship. Most 
of them were put into execution along the guard lines. 
Guard mount was in the evening and the sentinels were 
instructed to challenge all persons seen on or near their posts 
at night. When day arrived and the sun began his journey 
across the heavens, the faithful sentinels, still obedient to 
their instructions, halted everything in sight. When the 
relief came around the sentinel calmly pacing his post, 
became suddenly startled, (he'd only seen them a quarter 
of a mile away) and challenged. Halt ! Who's there ? 
Corporal with the relief. Advance corporal with the relief 
and be recognized. 

Nevertheless one had to strictly understand his busi- 
ness in order to get across those lines. One night Gov- 
ernor Tanner attempted to cross the lines but was promptly 
halted. Said he " It's all right, I'm Governor." "I don't 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 449 

give a cuss," said Cy, " if you're the shade of Julius Caesar, 
you can't get across this post." But there was a way to 
get across. The way to a soldier's heart is through his 
stomach, and it is a mighty short road between, too. 
A vigilant officer might sometimes in the dead of night 
have heard the challenge. Halt ! who's there ? Friend 
with a bottle. Advance friend with the bottle and pull the 
cork. If a man knew that countersign he could generally 
get across. 

But the guard line of the Irish Seventh was proof 
against the Springfield colored gentry. One night a 
"coon" had tried repeatedly to get through, but was 
finally arrested by an Irish recruit, who called, "Corporal 
of the guard, number siven, I've got a damn nager." Just 
then the darkey hit him on the noddle with a brick and took 
French leave. Upon recovery, Mike looked around for his 
missing game, and halloed, "Corporal of the guard, niver 
mind, the damn nager's gone." 

But all was not pleasure or fun. Galling trials were 
to be undergone, for a young American who breathes the 
spirit of liberty and independence with the every breath of 
life, is not the most amenable to discipline. The continual 
salaaming to officers, turning out of the guard to do the 
honors to supercilious, arbitrary, bumptious fellows, who 
regarded us as untrained animals and themselves as little 
gods, was exasperating to the untrained soldier. Company 
I is to be congratulated on its wise selection of officers. 
They are men and treated us as men. They did not for- 
get that the enlisted man did not sink his manhood when 
he joined the army; that he volunteered and was enlisted 
by the government to fight for his country and not for the 
convenience or accommodation of a set of officers. That's 
the reason they have come home with their men, while 
the others didn't dare to. 



450 HISTORY OF THE 

Our feelings toward the other class were well ex- 
pressed by a little red headed Irishman at Springfield dur- 
ing a bantering argument with Lieutenant Mullins, of the 
Fifth. Mullins was a Martinet, who insisted on the hon- 
ors being properly done. We had been up all night on 
guard and did not feel in the humor to turn out at the 
every appearance of His Highness. After about a dozen 
rounds, with severe lecturings thrown in, we came to the 
boiling temperature. Red acted as the nozzle of the kettle 
and sang out, "I told the boys when I came here that I 
wanted a job that I could hold, and I've got it. This is 
the first job I ever got that I couldn't quit." "Why don't 
you go home, then? " said Mullins. "Didn't I try to go 
home the other night and the guard wouldn't let me? 
From what I've seen around here, if these struttin' officers 
would tell a feller to butt stumps I guess he'd have to butt." 
The volunteer soldier loves a leader, and will follow him 
"into the jaws of death, into the mouth of hell," but a 
driver he hates. 

We had but one opportunity of getting even with the 
officers, and that was on one rainy day in Springfield, when 
the boys, in fun, put four lieutenants, six captains and one 
major through a paddling machine, just as their mothers 
used to do. We found, after we got into the service, that 
it wouldn't do to monkey with the buzz saw any more. It 
would have been about as wise as to fool with the business 
end of an army mule, and that, as old vets know, isn't Sol- 
omon like. 

After the mud, rain and cold in Springfield, sober 
satisfaction prevailed when we were ordered to proceed to 
Tampa. We thought we would join Shafter, and soon be 
in the thick of battle. But here, as at numerous other 
times, we were disappointed. It seemed an old game, in 
which the Fourth continually got the wrong end of the 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 45 I 

stick. Instead, we were ordered to reinforce the other 
regiments conducting the ever-memorable siege of Jackson- 
ville. We had expected glorious battle. We got into a 
scrimmage with stumps, cactus, weeds and briars. With 
spade, axe and pick, we finally conquered, but we couldn't 
see anything heroic in cutting poles, grubbing stumps, dig- 
ging ditches and other things. We sweat and smelled just 
like we would at home in a potato patch. We did get to 
make some bayonet charges on an old picket fence. You 
could see that fence quiver for a quarter of a mile when 
the boys gave their battle yell. But we became popularly 
known as the "Florida Land and Improvement Company." 
In addition to our other trials we had another in the 
person of a chap named Bancroft — officially, General Ban- 
croft. He was, as the boys said, "a warm member." 
We stood more in awe of him than did ever any small boy 
of his paternal razor-strop. This fellow used to get up 
before breakfast and scare the whole guard detail into a fit 
of the jim-jams. He was a strict disciplinarian, and many 
a fellow suffered for being a minute late. Once the tables 
were turned on him. It was announced to the guard one 
evening that the General would inspect the lines that night. 
The guards, carefully cocked and primed, were warned 
just how to shoot off, and told the hour he would arrive. 
For some reason he delayed. When he did arrive, he 
stumbled onto a "rookey. " In answer to the challenge 
hesaid, " General Bancroft." " Well," said the " rookey," 
"you'll catch thunder; you're two hours late." Another 
time he put a fellow through a severe catechism. "How 
do you salute?" "I don't know." " What would you do 
if I should come across your post?" "I don't know." 
"What would you do if a fight should start or a fire break 
out?" "I don't know." "Well, you are an ignorant 
fellow. What would you do if you were at home ?" "I 



452 HISTORY OF THE 

don't know." But that fellow was rattled. There are 
just three things a soldier will do first when he gets home: 
First, get a square meal; second, have his picture taken; 
and third, kiss his best girl if he has one, and if he hasn't, 
he ought to have. 

For a time we felt life under General Bancroft to be 
more durable. The boys used to threaten to transfer or 
resign. Moffett said the next time he would join the Sal- 
vation Army so as not be so close to headquarters. About 
this time a long, lean, attenuated individual known to the 
boys as Jersey, went to Major Elliott with a fine half mor- 
occo bible under his arm, a present from his sweetheart, 
who adjured him to study it faithfully, and startled the 
Major by asking him for a transfer. "Why Jersey what 
do you want to transfer to?" "To the Salvation Army." 
" What do you want to transfer to that for?" "My girl 
sent me a bible and I don't know what to do with it. The 
boys say it's a dandy, that she must have given $3. 50 for 
it, but there is a crap game going on down here and if some 
feller'l give me two dollars fur it I think I'll let her go." 

While General Bancroft was severe he was a man and 
a gentleman. Be it said to our credit that we learned to 
appreciate and respect him. 

Last winter an old veteran told me that if a soldier 
had not had one hundred graybacks on him at one time, 
moving off with both feet simultaneously at once, as Colo- 
nel Andel said, he had never seen service. That was a 
little extravagant, but I'll tell you a little secret if you'll 
promise not to tease us about it. Agreed? Well we've all 
seen service. Great was the consternation when the seam 
squirrel struck camp. The old Confederate gray back 
seemed to be still true to the Lost Cause, though all else 
had forsaken it, for he industriously pestered the boys in 
blue just as he did in the sixties. Or mayhap I do him an 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 453 

injustice. He might have been doing his best to enlist in 
the blue in order to get at the Spanish Don. Some of us 
held a meeting,— adopted a set of resolutions denouncing 
the louse tribe in general, the graybacks in particular, and 
'declared that not a seam squirrel should set foot on our 
soil. 

One day Tom Adams hailed me with, " Geo. you got 
any graybacks?" "No sir," said I, " I don't keep such 
things." "Well they're in your squad." " The dickens 
they are, whose got 'em?" «« Wib and Roy and Frank." 
1 'Well by jimminy we'll quarantine 'em." As I went to my 
tent I mused. If they've got 'em its barely possible I have. 
They're pretty decent fellows and I've been sleeping right 
next 'em. So after some inquiry as to the habits and 
habitat of the animals, I removed my habiliment and com- 
menced a search, feeling that it was entirely useless. Well, 
I doubled and counted back time and again, omitted all 
mention of the nits, and still I was ahead. I couldn't dodge 
or deny it, I was the lousiest man in the squad. 

The boys set huge caldrons of water on the fire and 
put in kerosene, salt, vinegar and anything else that they 
had ever heard would kill a louse. I thought, now that 
I'm disgraced, milder and less laborious methods would 
suit me better, and so I got a specific exterminator. 

Jacksonville witnessed the hardest, most trying period 
of our service. Never will we forget the terriole months of 
July, August and September under the blazing sun and in 
the blistering sands of Florida. Every day strong men fell 
from the ranks before the onslaughts of a mysterious, 
unseen, but terrible foe, and were borne away by the 
ambulance on its ceaseless rounds by day and night to the 
tented hospital on the hillside. Every day, as the soldiers 
visited their suffering comrades, they saw the light of life 
flutter, grow dim, and at last go out. Every day the 



454 HISTORY OF THE 

somber hearse, bearing its sad burden, followed by a group 
of the mourning comrades of the dead, told of another 
patriot gone to his last reward. Every day the station 
resounded to the echoes of the salute, the muffled drum's 
sad notes, and the sweet and solemn melody of the bugle, 
as the last sad rites were paid to the soldier dead. 

Amidst these sad scenes we witnessed sublime heroism 
in the acts of those noble women, the trained nurses, who 
so unselfishly sacrificed large salaries, comparative ease 
and comfort, and some their lives, for the onerous and dan- 
gerous duties and hard conditions of a military hospital to 
save the lives of our dying boys. Said Satan: "Yea, all 
that a man hath will he give for his life." And many a 
boy today owes all that he has to those patriotic women. 

Before these angels of life and mercy came into our 
lives, the sick soldier boy lay on his poncho or blanket in 
the sand and died in the clothes in which he had gone to 
the hospital. Delicacies sent to the soldiers never reached 
them. Stimulants and food for their benefit were mis- 
appropriated. They received scant care and unskillful 
nursing. 

But after the arrival of these women, oh, what a 
change. Tents were floored. Iron bedsteads, with mat- 
tresses and plenty of sheets and night clothing, made their 
appearance. Medicines and delicacies found their way to 
the boys. They received care as tender and thoughtful, 
and more skillful, than a mother or sister could have 
given. Day and night these sweet-faced, tender-hearted 
and iron-nerved women moved from sufferer to sufferer, 
softly, sweetly speaking words of cheer and comfort, 
smoothing the pillow, raising the cooling cup to the fevered 
lips, fanning the burning brow, administering the health 
giving draught, and checking the flow of the crimson tide 
of life; or sat by the side of the dying, catching the last 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 455 

message ot love to the folks at home, wiping the death 
damp from the brow, and speaking words of faith and hope 
to steady the nerves when the awful moment arrived and 
the dying one stood face to face with the great unknown. 
For their noble work in the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln 
said: "God bless the women of America," and from my 
humble corner I echo a fervent Amen. 

And, Oh! how hungry the sick boys used to get. They 
used to lie and talk of the good things they would get when 
they got well 'til some fellow unable to stand it longer would 
hollow, " shut up, I'm hungry enough without that." One 
evening the physician raised their diet list. They lay 
awake half the night thinking of the morning meal. But 
the arbitrary attendant cut the ration in two. The patients 
did much grumbling and made many sarcastic remarks, 'til 
the nurse who was not a good representative of the profes- 
sion, in great wrath exclaimed: "Well, if you want to 
kill yourself, you can eat a cow for all I care." "Bring 
on the cow and the calf too." 

For the doctors the boys had little use and much con- 
tempt. They used to say the doctors would give a fellow 
a pill for a sore toe. Peter Akeman had an ailment of 
some kind and called on the doctor for relief. Sawbones 
gave him some pills. A few days later he had an entirely 
different complaint and got more pills, Pete declared out 
of the same bottle. Said he, " Say, doctor, how do these 
b-b-blame things know where to go to?" 

Right glad were the boys to leave Jacksonville for Sa- 
vannah. At Savannah the boys first saw a genuine mani- 
festation of the noted Southern hospitality. Their gener- 
ous treatment by the citizens won the boys' hearts com- 
pletely, while the efficient service, manly conduct and 
gallantry of the boys won the esteem of all the Savannah 
citizens, both white and black. Not too much can be said 



456 HISTORY OF THE 

for the loyalty and patriotism of the southern people. The 
state of Illinois owes a vote of thanks to the people of Sa- 
vannah for their generous and friendly treatment of the 
boys of Illinois. 

Here they won laurels in eliciting the highest meed of 
praise from our President that could be given a volunteer 
regiment. Said he: " It is the best volunteer regiment 
that I have ever seen. The correct distances, perfect lines, 
military bearing and easy swinging step mark them a 
splendid organization of men." Illinois got her reputation 
up down there, for it takes good daddies and good mothers 
to raise such fellows. 

It was with deep regret on the part of both citizens 
and soldiers that the Fourth took its leave for Cuba. Our 
voyage was another trying experience. During our journey 
by rail much trouble had been experienced in keeping the 
boys on the cars. We were always warned not to get off. 
So a certain Captain, true to habit, drew his men up in 
line shortly after we had weighed anchor and said very 
earnestly: " Now men, we'er off for Cuba and I don't 
want a damned one of you to get off the boat." 

As the ship began to roll and toss and heave, we also 
began to roll and toss and heave, and soon we cast our 
bread upon the waters. As " Runty " said we threw up 
everything but our reputations. We might have felt re- 
lieved could we have gotten rid of those also. One fellow 
was doing especially well by the fish, when a sympathetic 
comrade inquired: "Why, Joe, are you sick?" "Sick! 
The Devil! Do you 'spose I'm pukin' for fun?" When we 
got off we were a hopeless, helpless looking set. Even our 
shadows looked bilious. We had been touched for all we 
had. 

Cuba we found to be a beautiful land of fertile fields, 
gorgeous flowers, waving palms, crystal streams, days of 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 457 

golden sunshine, glorious starlit nights and beautiful 
women. 

The American soldier has a keen eye for beauty, es- 
pecially in the fair sex. To him it is no trifling thing. He 
sympathizes with Hyatt of a certain story. Hyatt and 
Wyatt were close college chums. Coming down the stair- 
case one day Hyatt said to Wyatt, "Who is that plain, 
homely creature there in front?" Said Wyatt, " That's my 
wife." "Wyatt, how did it happen that a man of your 
ability, education, experience and prospects, married such 
a looker as that?" " Well, now, Hyatt, don't be too hard. 
Beauty is only skin deep, you know." "Well for heaven's 
sake, skin her then." 

But notwithstanding the beauty and agreeableness of 
our surroundings, the hearts of the boys yearned for Illi- 
nois. Anything pleasing happened, the shout was Illinois. 
Anything displeasing or disappointing occurred, the wail 
was for Illinois. In their waking moments they talked of 
Illinois, and locked in the soft but strong embrace of slum- 
ber they murmured Illinois, Illinois. If the transport had 
gone down amidst the tossing b.illows, the last head that 
bobbed above water would have shrieked Illinois or some- 
thing else. 

Every night borne on the rushing pinions of the imag- 
ination they went back to the old home and saw father and 
mother, brother, sister or some one else. When day dis- 
pelled the illusion they'd laughingly say, Well I's up home 
last night and saw Bud. Had the biggest chicken in the 
barnyard. God bless thee Illinois. Thou hast the best cat- 
tle, the finest horses, the fairest fields, the greenest mead- 
ows, the noblest streams, the shadiest forests, the prettiest 
girls, the sweetest homes and the best, the fondest, the 
kindliest old folks of any spot on God's green earth. When 
we leave thee again Oh! Illinois, Uncle Sam will be in dire 



458 HISTORY OF THE 

straits. We are glad to be with you again. We have not 
had a hard time; a pretty good time for soldiers we guess; 
but soldiering is no fun at best. We realize that our sacri- 
fices were pale in comparison with those of the heroes of 
the Revolution, who marched and fought, shoeless, hatless 
and ragged, leaving their foot prints in blood on the frozen 
ground; or with those of the boys of '61, who battled on 
the red field at Shiloh, charged through the clouds at Mis- 
sionary Ridge and stormed the heights of bloody Kenesaw. 
We know we cannot go down in history with the veterans 
who withstood the storm of shot and shell at Gettysburg, 
or perished in the Wilderness of death, or at Spottsylvania, 
Cold Harbor or Appomatox. 

But let no man point the finger of scorn at any boy 
who wore the blue in '98 and '99. Let no sneer pass the 
lips of the frivolous. Let not the arrows of cruel satire 
and ridicule be leveled at him who considers it unfortunate 
that he did not participate in battle. He has performed 
the fullest measure of duty that the God of battles, the for- 
tunes of war and the destinies of nations permitted. He 
has performed his duties in a manner that won him the 
admiration and praise of not only our chief magistrate, but 
of foreign soldiers and statesmen as well. He enlisted to 
fight, and confidently expected and ardently wished to see 
action. True, he might not have been so brave on the 
firing line. He might have had sudden chills or St. Vitus 
dance; his trousers might have needed little Grovers on 
their rear; but even those feelings are not alien to tried 
veterans. 

During a certain battle of the civil war a heavy mus- 
ketry fire was in progress. Men were falling fast. It was 
a time when the oldest and bravest would have gladly been 
in their tents. A rabbit, scared out of the brush by the 
terrific fire, went full tilt for the rear. As his little white 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 459 

tail bobbed up and down, hither and thither, in and out 
amongst the tall grass, General Vance, afterward governor 
of South Carolina, shouted after him: " Go'er, cottontail; 
if I hadn't a reputation I'd be with you." 

As before said, they enlisted to fight, and its no fault 
of theirs, that they're not every one lying dead on the field 
of Santiago. And in a larger sense than first appears, the 
credit for our brilliant victory belongs in some measure to 
those who did not see action. It is reserve force that wins 
tb«e victories of nations, as well as the triumphs of the ora- 
tor, the success of the physician, the statesman or the busi- 
ness man. It is idle to believe that our victory could have 
been so soon and so easily won with an army composed of 
only those who fought at Santiago and Manilla. It was 
the knowledge that still two hundred thousand soldiers just 
as willing and capable as those who fought at Santiago, 
were ready to take the field, that caused Spain to see the 
hopelessness of her struggle. It is not flattering to Amer- 
ican pride to believe that out of our army of two hundred 
and seventy-five thousand men only thirty-five or forty 
thousand were brave enough to fight. 

These men sacrificed time, money and opportunity, 
home and friends and social position to do and die for their 
country. In this they were disappointed, but as they look 
abroad upon the brightened prospects of the world and of 
mankind, they feel that the sacrifice has not been in vain. 

From their example our country has learned a new 
lesson of itself. It has learned that the sordid greed for 
wealth and material gain has not dulled the sense of honor 
nor quenched the fires of patriotism burning in the breasts 
of the common people. We have learned that no longer 
is there a North, a South, an East or a West, that the sen- 
timent of our whole people in our country, our whole coun- 
try and nothing but our conntry, one flag, one cause, one 



460 HISTORY OF THE 

country, one heart. We know that no selfish considera- 
tion of material gain will ever cause our nation "to take 
its hand from the sword hilt to put a penny in its purse," 
when a duty toward humanity is to be performed. 

While we know that every grand Empire and aspiring 
Republic that have passed from earth, have been slain with 
a dagger of fine gold; despite the selfish cant of Mam- 
mon's helots, we may be assured that the foundations of 
our national power are still strong. When a great nation 
champions the golden rule among nations, stays the hand 
of the assassinating robber- and oppressor, strikes the 
shackles from the limbs of the political slave, assists strug- 
gling manhood, avenges outraged womanhood, lights the 
torch of liberty amidst the darkness of tyranny, dries the 
eyes and lifts the fallen form of weeping, suffering humanity 
and puts bread in the mouth of starving childhood, we may 
be assured that Almighty God has a work for that nation 
to perform. But let us hope that the dawn of the 
twentieth century will usher in a newer and better era. 
Already we have heard the harbingers of the coming day, 
for out of the depths of Russia there has come a voice 
earnestly pleading for peace. Already the eastern sky is 
aglow and burnished arrows of light shot from the golden 
bow of morning dart to the zenith. 

Let us hope that it may be the golden age of peace, of 
fraternity, of equality. When wars and struggles, national 
and international, shall be no more; when every son of 
God may peaceably eat his bread in the sweat of his own 
brow; when the sword shall be be beaten into the plough 
share, and the spear into the pruning hook; when the 
lamb shall lie down with the wolf; when a little child shall 
lead them; when joy, love and peace reigning supreme 
shall swell with emotion the human heart, issuing forth in 
one world-wide universal song, and ascend to the far off 



FOURTH ILLINOIS. 



461 



heavens all aglow with the dazzling radiance of the star of 
Bethlehem, shining o'er the glorified form of the Prince of 
Peace seated on his jewelled throne. Angel choirs with 
psalter harp and dulcimer will echo the glad refrain in- 
psalm and hymn. The celestial harmony, rolling along 
the golden streets, through the pearly gates and o'er the 
jasper walls, on, on, on through the starry universe, will 
blend with the music of the spheres, carrying the glad song 
to faraway worlds to us unknown, while echoing and re- 
echoing on the boundless shores of the universe, where 
beat the waves of eternity's time, will be heard the soft, 
sweet murmur of the Angel hymn, "On Earth, Peace, 
Good Will to Men." 





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